New Police Headquarters FAQs
Why do we need a new Police Building?
- The current police building has numerous deficiencies identified in a needs space assessment conducted in 2016 by BCA & MWL. The current police building is undersized at 6000 square feet including garage space. A separate space needs study was conducted, and the architectural firms identified the need for approximately 32,000 square foot building which includes garage and prisoner sally ports. The current building is a converted auto dealership that has housed police operations for over 50 years
- The current building lacks adequate parking for the community, visitors and employees.
- The current building does not have adequate space for emerging trends in Law Enforcement technology.
- The current building lacks space to properly train officers in contemporary police training methods. There is no training room which provides a continuous challenge.
- There is no community meeting area that will allow the City of Peru community to engage with police officers to address community concerns.
- In addition to lack of space, there are functionality issues that are of major concern:
- There is not adequate space to provide safe separation between victims and offenders.
- The booking room is set up with arrestees seated behind the officer while that officer completes arrestee processing. The layout creates a danger to the officer who should have the arrestee within their line of sight at all times.
- The current building has several leaks including a leak in the garage. This leak causes damage to police vehicles and equipment.
- The current building requires significant maintenance.
Why can’t we renovate the current Police Building?
- The existing building footprint does not allow for increased parking and is not a sustainable option for current use or future police department growth.
- The existing space and design do not meet the needs of modern policing today and will not meet future needs of police department operations.
- Renovations will not address the lack of parking on the site.
How will the City fund a new police station?
- The City of Peru has developed a financing strategy to ensure there is no increase to the Peru tax levy or taxpayer. The pledge from the mayor and city council is that the construction must be accomplished with no tax increase in the city. Surplus reserves earmarked for this project and use of existing revenues allow the City of Peru to maintain a level debt service.
What are we going to do with the old building?
- Downtown reinvestment and development are a key goal within the city’s Strategic Plan. In the short term, the city is in negotiations with the Illinois Valley Regional Dispatch Center to allow the current police station to be converted to a 21st century 911 dispatch center serving LaSalle, Peru, Oglesby, Spring Valley, Utica, Mendota, Earlville and Leland.
Where is the Fire Department going to move?
- The fire department is going to maintain its current location on West street and is not part to a proposed new police facility.
Why this location for a new Police Building?
- The site is located at 2650 North Peoria Street at the southwest intersection of Peoria Street and Midtown Road.
- The building site has the space to contain a modern training facility that offers a variety of training methods.
- The building will increase community engagement with room to host meetings with Peru Police Officers.
- The building will meet evolving technology requirements.
The new proposed site provides the necessary space for evidence processing and space to secure evidence including large items and vehicles. - The building will meet evolving technology requirements.
- The proposed site is centrally located in the growth portions of the community and will provide a “community room” available to community members, clubs and other organizations. Based on discussions with other communities that have built police stations in recent years that include this feature t is estimated the room will be used well over 300 times per year by members of the community.
