El Cerrito, Richmond police open small shared substation in Home Depot parking lot
“This collaborative partnership between The Home Depot, the Richmond Police Department, and the El Cerrito Police Department reflects what can be accomplished when businesses and law enforcement work together to strengthen the communities we serve,” the Richmond Police Department wrote on its Facebook page announcing the opening.
“We are incredibly grateful to The Home Depot for generously providing this dedicated workspace, giving our officers a convenient location to complete reports, conduct follow-up work, and remain accessible while serving the community,” it said. “This partnership allows our officers to spend more time in the field and less time traveling back to the station, increasing both efficiency and visibility.”
The substation is located in a small trailer on the far side of the parking lot away from the Home Depot store, near Starbucks.
Captain Lauren Caputo of the El Cerrito Police Department said the substation is a collaborative effort between the Richmond Police Department, the El Cerrito Police Department, and Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office.
“Because the shopping center serves both communities, it made sense for our agencies to partner on this project,” he wrote in an email.
Caputo said officers from both departments will use the substation, although it will not be staffed on a fixed schedule. Officers may stop by periodically throughout their shifts to complete reports, conduct follow-up work, use the facilities, or be available for community engagement while remaining in the field, he said.
Residents are welcome to stop by and speak with officers when they are present. Depending on the circumstances, officers may be able to answer questions, provide information about police services, take crime reports, or assist with other non-emergency matters. However, because the substation is not continuously staffed and does not provide the full range of services available at a police station, residents who need records, property or evidence services, fingerprinting, permits, or other administrative assistance should continue to visit their respective police department, Caputo wrote.
In response to a question from El Cerrito Wire, he said the opening of the substation is not directed at the workers who gather in the area seeking employment and is not related to immigration enforcement or ICE.
“The purpose of the substation is simply to provide a more visible police presence, improve service to the community, and strengthen partnerships with businesses and residents in the area. The El Cerrito Police Department remains committed to complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, as well as California statutes and departmental policies governing immigration enforcement and cooperation with federal agencies,” Caputo wrote.
El Cerrito became a sanctuary city in 2017. More information on El Cerrito’s sanctuary city status