Delays in Relocation of Vallejo Police Departments are Costly,

In 2019, the City of Vallejo purchased the former State Farm Insurance building at 400 Mare Island Way specifically for the new location of the Vallejo Police Department. The cost of the move continues to rise as the city continues to delay the move. Response: Agree, in part. The estimated cost in 2019 to bring the 400 Mare Island building into compliance with current code was $24 million dollars. As of May 2022, the proposed cost of rehabilitating the 400 Mare Island building was estimated to be approximately $30 million dollars. While the costs have risen approximately 25% in 3 years, that increase is not substantially greater than the general inflation rate. Time associated with the planning and financing of any large project is inherently likely to result in increased costs in an inflationary market. As the City has explored alternatives demanded by the public, the JFK Library site has been looked at as an alternative to become the relocated police facility. The cost to renovate the JFK Library site for a relocated police facility is preliminarily estimated to be between $38 million and $53 million dollars depending on the level of desired improvements ultimately determined to be appropriate.

Current police headquarters has deteriorated and is inadequate for the city’s needs. The building has been neglected for too long. Continually repairing the current facility is not fiscally responsible policy. Response: Agree in part. Ongoing facility maintenance is required regardless, until a new location or another alternative is determined.

A significant portion of the existing Vallejo Police Department building at 111 Amador is no longer useable because of asbestos and lead contamination. The City is spending thousands of dollars quarterly to pay for testing and cleanup of areas contaminated with asbestos and lead. In addition, after each rain, the building floods and the city has to send in a crew to address water damage as well as the removal of mold. Response: Disagree. Roughly 2000 square feet (roughly 10% of the original facility) constituting the former indoor shooting range is currently closed to employee access with shooting range activities currently occurring offsite. Lead and asbestos abatement and cleaning in those areas was completed and is monitored to ensure employee safety.

In 2008, the City of Vallejo filed for bankruptcy and cut its police force by about half. The police department is still understaffed. Although the Police Chief has initiated a stronger recruiting effort, the working conditions in the Amador facility prove to be a deterrent to successful recruiting. The current building has been described as “deplorable” by city officials and others who have toured the facility. The Amador Street structure is a deterrent to the department’s ability to attract and hire new employees. Response: Agree in part. A new or refurbished modern police facility would certainly be a positive element to support the recruitment and retention of new employees and improve overall morale within the department. However, there are a range of other factors including, compensation, workload, training, diversity and community support that also impact law enforcement recruitment. In addition, there is a nationwide challenge in the ability of local governmental entities to attract and hire new employees. The City is actively working to continue to improve and work to employ strategies to recruit and retain department employees.

The Amador building is an inappropriate environment for the CARE Center’s work. Response: Agree. The CARE Center is currently located at 400 Mare Island Way.