March 27, 2024

JCPD’s Community Policing Unit has new place to call home

The Johnson City Police Department (JCPD) now has a fixed presence in the city’s central business district. The Community Policing Unit, also known as Platoon 5, has located to its new home in the middle of downtown.

Operating out of the new JCPD Downtown Substation located in the Downtown Centre, Community Policing includes a lieutenant, a sergeant, community housing and downtown officers, the homeless outreach coordinator, and a traffic unit. In addition to a downtown focus, the unit works special events and programs that fall outside of typical patrol responsibilities.

“The concentration of businesses and increased residences downtown necessitate a strong police presence,” said Police Chief Billy Church. “We want everyone who works in, lives in or visits downtown Johnson City to feel safe.”

The substation is staffed Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is currently not open to the public.

“If you need an officer in the downtown area, the best and quickest way to get one to your location is to call 911,” explained Lt. Mark Hollis. “Platoon 5 is just a portion of the officers you will see in this area. Downtown is protected by officers that patrol this section of the City around the clock.”

Sgt. Nathan Carman has worked as a downtown officer since 2016. He said he is already seeing the benefits of the new substation.

“Due to our location, we can respond to calls in an expedited manner. Many downtown businesses and residents are appreciative, and it’s advancing our working relationships with them. In our discussions, they tell us about issues and share concerns we may not see, which helps us better serve our community,” he said.

The substation also provides other officers a space to work on reports while remaining centrally located in the downtown area.

###