Police Storefront Will Relocate

Faced with rising rent, the Ventura Police Department is shutting down its Main Street storefront and will move into an Oak Street spot in October, officials said.

Monthly rent for the 309 E. Main St. storefront climbed to $1,200 this year, up from $800 last fall and $500 when the storefront opened four years ago.

The new police office will be at 71 Oak St. and will cost $400 a month for a three-year lease.

Until October, the storefront officer and volunteers will work out of the Westside office on North Olive Street.

Police officials don’t expect the move to cause any interruption of service to downtown merchants and residents.

The Oak Street office needs remodeling, including leveling the storefront’s uneven floors, installing carpets, adding lighting, and putting in a kitchen area.

Costs could total $14,000 or more.

The storefront’s rent is paid by downtown merchants, and the police pay for the staff and office equipment.

The telephone number for the Westside storefront is 648-8133. To help rebuild or donate money to the new storefront, contact Sgt. Chris Hart at 339-4369.