OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — The Omaha Police Department is scheduled to open its fifth precinct in west Omaha on September 8th.
Elkhorn and west Omaha residents will start to see a change in response times and heightened patrol.
"The city is growing, and it's growing in westward expansion obviously. We think we need to have a footprint in west Omaha to ensure that the citizens of west Omaha are getting the police services that they need and deserve," said Captain Mark Desler of OPD.
This will be the third precinct in the west Omaha, and will be the biggest station yet, serving as the base for all operations in the western region. The traffic, patrol, and emergency response units will all be under one roof on Cumberland Drive an 206th.
With crimes like vandalism, break ins, and auto thefts in that area, people living there want to see a change. Neighbors hope to see a heavier police presence and quicker response times."
Pat Wilhelm, an Elkhorn resident said, "When this was originally Elkhorn we had very good police coverage. As soon as the city was annexed, police coverage fell off."
Now residents like Wilhelm will see that change early next month.
"Increased visibility and decreased response times are going to help us prevent and solve more of those crimes," said Desler.
These plans have been years in the making. The city knew the demand for officers in other precincts were starting to decrease, so they prepared to transfer some out west.
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held for the public on September 24th at 9:30 AM at their new precinct on 20924 Cumberland Drive in Elkhorn.
