Wednesday, July 11, 2007
CORNERSBURG — A new police substation aims to address crime in a retail area and can be used by several police agencies.
The substation and K-9 unit will have its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Friday in the Cornersburg Plaza, 3623 South Meridian Road.
The substation was created to provide additional resources to officers in Cornersburg and the surrounding areas. Several businesses in the highly retail area have been robbed in the past year, including a bank, three pizza shops and a drug store.
The new substation will house an additional three K-9 units and will allow Youngstown, Canfield, Boardman and Austintown police to further increase car and foot patrols. The substation will also be used by the sheriff's department, according to local business owner Vince Furrie Jr.
Furrie donated the funds needed to establish and maintain the 1,000-square-foot space. Furrie represents Village Plaza Sparkle Inc., the company that owns Cornersburg Sparkle.
He said the new substation is a step in the right direction. “It’s always a great feeling to make a difference in your community, especially when it’s contributing to the safety of the people who live and work here,” he said.
Renovation costs totaled more than $75,000. In addition to providing the revenue needed for construction, Furrie also plans to cover the cost of rent and utilities for as long as the facility is in use.