Abandoned Maraisburg police station ideal for Florida detectives?

Brick and mortar was built to last but still cannot withstand shortsightedness and a lack of vision.

In a search for adequate working conditions for an essential public good, ward governance is proposing common sense solutions. The Detective Branch of Florida Police Station has been working out of a relative shoebox for several years, hampering their efforts to effectively carry out their mandate. Ward 70 councillor, Caleb Finn, backed by his Ward 86 counterpart, Councillor Chantelle Fourie-Shawe has identified a way forward that could tick all the boxes.

At the end of February 2019, the Florida detectives were forced to move into the hall at the back of Florida police station after the lease for the office space they had been using was not renewed. Failure by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) to secure them an alternative has left the area’s investigators of crime in a cluttered room of which the lack of privacy and security makes it unfit for purpose.

Sitting on the corner of 11th Avenue and 8th Street, the old Maraisburg police station lies barren with little concern from its custodians. Used as police barracks until several years ago, the station has not fulfilled its original purpose for over 20 years. With an authoritative facade, the structure of the building is rock-solid and comes with interior floor space that would surpass Florida police station’s main building.

“The Florida Detective branch has not had suitable office space for more than three years now, and this violates both the rights of police staff and complainants who should be provided with a safe and confidential space within which they can discuss the details of their cases,” stated Councillor Finn, whose last suggestion sent directly to Minister of DPWI, Patricia de Lille, on July 11 has yet to receive a response.

Located four kilometres from Florida police station, the older station falls in the adjacent ward but still within the required policing precinct. “This structure is sound and full of potential. DPWI must act swiftly in the interest of not only the Florida detectives, but also to the residents of Maraisburg, who had to witness the urban decay of their historic suburb due to buildings like these simply being ignored,” said Councillor Fourie-Shawe. “At this point, I believe this is the best use for the property. There will be added police presence in the area, which is much needed,” she added.

Councillor Finn elaborated on possible reasons for the continued delay, saying “I have heard from some sources close to the department that they are trying not to spend money on rental and would prefer to find space within an existing government-owned building. The proposal to rather renovate the old Maraisburg Police Station therefore provides them with a reason to stop making excuses and finally provide office space to our detectives.”

Questions were sent to the DPWI via email on July 12 but as of publication, that email has not been acknowledged or responded to. The building is guarded 24 hours a day to prevent further damage but the true cost is to law enforcement and the victims of crime, who through poorly resourced detectives are denied access to justice.