Fargo Police Lieutenant says new substation will "up our presence" in the downtown area

(Fargo, ND) -- The new downtown substation for the Fargo Police department is now open.

"It's also going to up our presence in the downtown area. We're going to have officers here that are doing work, taking breaks, in marked squad cars and also having meetings and interactions with those in the community and so there is going to be an upped presence moving to and from this substation 24 seven," said Lieutenant Bill Ahlfeldt.   

Ahlfeldt was among the city officials who opened the new substation Monday afternoon. It sits at 511 4th Avenue North on the first floor of the Mercantile building. The sleek facility includes several adjustable workstations, a conference room, a break room, and restrooms. While no staff will be working in the facility full time, we're told officers will come and go from the substation each day of the week.  Ahlfeldt says the substation will help police to maintain a significant and high-profile presence downtown. The entrance also features an emergency phone for public use, which will be monitored by cameras.