Lions Park substation reopening for park rangers

COSTA MESA — The Costa Mesa Police Department is set to reopen a police substation on the city's Westside in about a month, according to authorities.

The substation is near Lions Park at 567 W. 18th St. and is part of a joint effort between the City Council and Police Department to reach out to the community and have a greater presence on the Westside, according to Lt. Bryan Glass.

The location will not be open to the public and will largely serve as an office for the two new park rangers who are expected to work in Lions Park, Capt. Les Gogerty said. People with urgent police needs should visit the main police station at 99 Fair Drive or dial 911, he said.

In addition to the park rangers, officers in the area will be able to conduct some police work at the substation. The new park rangers will work eight hours a day, seven days a week.

The cost of revamping the station was minimal, mainly consisting of hiring a moving crew and waxing the floors, said city spokesman Bill Lobdell.

The substation originally opened in the early 1990s, but partially closed shortly after the main police station was renovated to create more space for employees and modernize the building. The construction was completed in 2009.

In 2000, the department had three substations, including one at South Coast Plaza, one on the northern side of town and at the 18th Street location to, in part, connect with the city's Latino population.

In 2005, after torrential rains flooded the substation, police operations were moved to the main station near City Hall, but a few divisions — including property and animal control — moved back into the Westside location in the fall of 2006.

lauren.williams@latimes.com

Twitter: @lawilliams30