WASHINGTON — After five years of planning and preparation, the Washington Police Department officially broke ground on a new evidence building this Wednesday. The new facility is slated to open this October and will be located near the Washington Fire Station and Five Points.

The move to construct a new evidence building comes after the old facility was severely damaged by a fire, which forced the police department to relocate much of its evidence to other buildings. Chief Mike McCoy expressed enthusiasm about the project: “Well we’re pretty excited about the groundbreaking, to be able to get it started and be able to get our evidence into one place in the proper way and store it in a safe building.”

The total cost of the new building is estimated at $2.3 million, with funding coming from a mix of federal and state sources, as well as leftover COVID relief funds and building money. This multi-source funding strategy reflects the city’s dedication to securing a long-term solution to its evidence storage needs.

The Importance of a Safe and Secure Evidence Facility

The new building will offer state-of-the-art security features designed to protect the integrity of evidence. This development is essential to ensuring that evidence can be properly stored, cataloged, and easily accessed when needed for investigations or court cases.

“The need for a secure and centralized evidence storage facility became even more apparent after the fire, and we are committed to making sure our evidence is safely housed in a purpose-built structure,” Chief McCoy added.

Community Impact and Project Timeline

Local residents and law enforcement officials are eagerly anticipating the completion of the new building. The construction is expected to take several months, with the project slated for completion by October of this year. The new facility will not only improve the security of the evidence but will also streamline the department’s operations, allowing for more efficient management of cases.

“We are grateful for the support from federal and state agencies, and this funding will allow us to get this important project off the ground,” said Chief McCoy. “Once completed, the building will greatly enhance our ability to maintain proper chain-of-custody for evidence and protect the integrity of our criminal justice system.”

Future Plans for the Department

With the new evidence building in the works, the Washington Police Department is looking forward to further improvements in their operations. This new structure will complement ongoing efforts to modernize and enhance law enforcement infrastructure in the city.

As the project progresses, the department is committed to keeping the community informed and ensuring that the new facility meets all of the necessary standards for security, functionality, and efficiency.

The Washington Police Department hopes that with this new evidence building, the department will be better equipped to handle the growing demands of modern law enforcement, ensuring public trust and maintaining the integrity of investigations.

Stay tuned for updates on the progress of this critical infrastructure project.

Originally reported by Taylor Fleming in 25 News Now.