SPD receives check for new substation

Last week, State Sen.Melissa Hurtado presented Shafter Police Chief Kevin Zimmermann with a check for $6 million, which will be used to build the department a new substation, as well as a new Fire Station as well.

The need for a substation in the Gossamer Grove area has been talked about for years, with city leadership talking on how to get the task done. Hurtado contacted Zimmermann trying to make the dream a reality. These are funds that is a grant from the state of California, which was backed by by Hurtado and Assemblymember Rudy Salas. As Salas said in his remarks, "every city and Assemblymember is after funds for their cities and districts, but we were fortunate enough to receive the approval for these funds for Shafter."

The substation at Gossamer Grove will help deliver a 24/7 presence by the Shafter Police Department in the area. Residents of the Gossamer Grove area have been pleased with the response time from the SPD and their performance, but also think that a substation out there would be great.

"I have had nothing but good things to say about the Shafter Police Department, but a station out here would be even better," said resident Lionel Hernandez. "I think that this is a fantastic thing for us."

At the presentation, Mayor Cathy Prout said that this has been in the works for a long time and she is so glad to see it finally come together. "This is an exciting time for Shafter and its law enforcement agencies."

Hurtado said that she is so happy to have been a part of this project and hopes that she can do the same for so many cities in the Central Valley who are in need. "Every city I visit has needs and they are all working so hard for the safety and prosperity of their residents. We hope that we can help every city be able to have their own successes."