Mini Police Substation
Definition
Small neighborhood police office (approximately 5,000 square feet) where 6 officers work rotating shifts for 24/7 coverage, assigned to walk and bike patrols in the immediate area. Not a traditional distant precinct – more like a neighborhood police post. Officers work out of here and patrol on foot so you see them and know them by name.
Dave Biggers’ Plan:
- At least one mini substation in EVERY ZIP code
- 4-year rollout: Phased implementation starting with highest-need areas
- Cost: $650K per station annually
- Staffing: 6 officers per station, rotating shifts for 24/7 coverage
- Expected results: 35% crime reduction over 4 years (proven in 50+ cities)
Why this matters: When officers walk the same beat daily, they know residents by name, understand neighborhood dynamics, and can prevent crimes before they happen. Response times drop to under 5 minutes. Community trust increases dramatically. This is not experimental – Boston saw 63% reduction in youth homicides, Newark 35% reduction in shootings using similar programs.