Just as
the world seems to be changing at warp speed, the environment in
which the
Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD) maintains law and order also
has changed.
The city is an entirely different place than it was 49 years ago
when the DBPD moved
into its last headquarters building on Orange Avenue.
“The
city has grown a great deal since 1960,” said Mayor Glenn Ritchey.
“This
complex is long overdue and already it has become an outstanding
resource to our
community, those of us who live here and the millions of visitors we
welcome year after year.”
So, with
a keen eye on geography, demography and the future, the department
moved to a new, state-of-the-art headquarters building in the growth
corridor near the
intersection of Mason Avenue and Williamson Boulevard.
After
years of planning, on January 12, Chief Mike Chitwood helped his
team move
its operations to a new headquarters building with new technology at
a new location.
“We are grateful for the new complex and we know it will enhance our
ability to protect
and serve our community,” said Chitwood. “We appreciate having been
entrusted with
resources to do so and we thank the community for investing its
Daytona Beach Police
Department.”
A grand
opening community celebration is scheduled for Feb. 21, from noon to
3
p.m., when residents and visitors will be able to get an insider’s
look at the new complex.
Those
who attend will see a state-of-the-art municipal law enforcement
command center with many features that facilitate police operations.
For
starters, the complex has energy-efficient lighting and climate
controls. The
structure is designed to sustain category 3 hurricane winds of 120
miles per hour. It also has a substantial power generation system to
maintain operations in emergencies.
As for the “cop shop” features, there are increased security
controls including
cameras and access card systems. Elevators have security
restrictions. There’s a records viewing room for citizens and the
news media. There are physical training areas and showers onsite,
and a K-9 training area. Shelving in the records and evidence
department is mobile. There is a training room that doubles as a
room for community use. There is a computer lab and a crime lab with
separate, secure evidence inventory areas. The complex has eight
interview rooms, a victim interview room and eight holding cells
with separate juvenile and adult cells. The prisoner load/unload
area is secure. There are garage bays to store SWAT and Mobile
Command Post units. There are 61 parking spaces for the public and
341 spaces for police purposes.
The
headquarters houses 65 individual offices and numerous large offices
to
accommodate a variety of departments including Records, Patrol
Sergeants,
Investigations, Training, Code Enforcement, Tactical Officers,
Parking Enforcement,
Traffic Homicide, Planning and Research, Evidence and Property, and
the Emergency
Operations Center.
The new
Daytona Beach Police headquarters is on Valor Boulevard at the
southeast
corner of Mason Avenue and Williamson Boulevard approximately five
miles from its
former Orange Avenue headquarters. It occupies a 27.5-acre campus
and was built at a cost for land, structures, furniture and
equipment of about $24 million. It was funded
through a special taxpayer-approved special assessment and the final
debt payment will be made in 2029.
The
complex was designed by Hawkins, Hall & Ogle Architects, Daytona
Beach,
with construction management by Ajax Building Corporation,
Jacksonville.
