New Local Station Easing Deputies’ Job

Ventura County sheriff’s deputies are transforming an abandoned office on Moorpark’s Flory Avenue into an operational police facility.

The deputies and staff, who moved from their Thousand Oaks headquarters less than a month ago, are still adjusting to fewer parking spots, no showers, no hard copies of records and a slower computer system.

But officials say the station is already making their jobs easier because it is closer to most of their activities.

“I think it’s working out better than we expected,” said Capt. Michael Lewis, who said the station gives the officers a community presence.

The rectangular-shaped office, owned and formerly used by the Moorpark Unified School District, gives the Sheriff’s Department its first full-time station in Moorpark since the city incorporated in 1983.

The renovated facility, furnished with donated office supplies, has room for 10 sworn officers--three detectives, two traffic officers, two special enforcement officers, a community police officer, a patrol supervisor and Lewis.

But it does not have a jail, a room to interview suspects, a place to store weapons or cabinet space for crime reports.

While Martinelli said the office would eventually find crime report storage space, the city does not plan to turn the site into a full-fledged police station. Officers will continue to rely on the Thousand Oaks facility on Olsen Road to interview and book suspects.

The school district came to a five-year agreement with the city, which contracts with the county for police services, and the Sheriff’s Department in May.

The station will have an opening for the public Oct. 3. For more information, call 532-2700.