Facebook Funding New Police Substation in Menlo Park

Menlo Park Police secured a location for a new police substation in the Belle Haven neighborhood, announced Sequoia Realty Services Wednesday, which will be subsidized by Facebook.

Menlo Park Police have a substation on Willow Road. However, it is no longer meeting their needs, according to Chief of Police Robert Jonsen. “We want the new substation to be a place where people of all ages can feel comfortable,” Jonsen told Patch, describing his vision for the space and how it will differ from the old substation. 

A police substation is essentially an office where police officers that are patrolling the neighborhood can go to do paperwork, interview individuals, and use the restroom. Jonsen hopes that the new substation will also be a space where Menlo Park residents can report crimes. A complicating factor is that a substation traditionally is not always staffed. 

While it is presently unclear if the police department will be able to secure funding from the city to place a clerk behind the front desk, Jonsen is hopeful that the police department can find a solution with the help of technology. He said one way residents could communicate with police is to install a Skype-like interface at the substation. When the station is not staffed, residents would have the option of talking to an officer at the downtown station, which is always staffed, via video chat. That option is being explored. 

Another option is to place a city staffer in the substation who would also be able to process permits or other activities that are usually done at the downtown city administration building. 

In the meantime, the police department is working with Facebook employees to find the ideal type of work environment that will suit the needs of the police and the community. Chief Jonsen said that when Facebook employees heard the police department needed help securing a new station, they reached out to help.

In addition to providing design services, Facebook will be subsidizing the cost of renting the space on Hamilton, which has a higher rent than the existing station on Willow Road. The monthly rent for the space on Willow Road is $950 per month, while the rent at the place on Hamilton is $3,700, according to Commander Dave Bertini, who led the search for the new space. 

Sequoia Realty Services representatives who work for the property landlord Larry LaBarbera said the space was an ideal match for law enforcement officials.

“Commander Dave Bertini and Police Chief Robert Jonsen carefully selected 871 Hamilton Avenue as the site of Belle Haven’s new safety hub because of its accessibility and visibility from Hamilton Avenue, Willow Road and Bayfront Expressway,” said Anthony Kamm, commercial division manager for Sequoia Realty Services.  

Facebook is located .3 miles away from the new substation location. Chief Jonsen said he expects to gain access to the site by June 15. He said he expects crews to take about 90 days to renovate the space.