For the first time in years, the bell in the Schuyler Police Station clock tower rang promptly at 3 p.m. on August 9, a sign of new life not only for the bell or the tower, but for the historic building itself.
Members of the Nebraska State Patrol, Colfax County Sheriff’s Department and Schuyler Police Department met with city officials, stakeholders and curious onlookers in front of the old city hall and fire station building, which has undergone extensive renovations in recent years.
“Today we celebrate the culmination of years of hard work, planning and tireless dedication. This new facility symbolizes a significant investment in our shared safety, a tangible expression of our commitment to fostering a safe and thriving community here in Schuyler,” said City Manager Will De Roos.
This momentous occasion, De Roos said, is thanks to the work of many people, from the city to police, contractors and former city officials. Mayor Art Lindberg echoed that sentiment, thanking JEO Consulting, Rogge Contractors, the Colfax County Sheriff’s Department, former Mayor Jon Knutson, Matt Kroeger (for renting the temporary facility) and everyone else who made this possible.
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“This is an important day for Schuyler and especially for the police department. This day, as you all have said, has been a long time in the making,” Lindberg said. “We are here to celebrate the opening of our new facility, which will hopefully help retain and recruit the number of officers who will continue to serve and protect our community.”
The building itself is nearly a century old, as was noted early in the construction and renovation process. The mortar was in poor condition and when they began construction, they had no plans to base their work on. This meant extra work in renovating the brick building and second-floor additions. Compared to a year ago, the space is now unrecognizable, Police Chief Robert Farber said, and the new features are a big win for the police department.
“For me, it’s just the convenience, the technology, everything within reach, and it makes their jobs so much more efficient to have that facility, for sure. You know, we’ve had the ability to do multiple interviews at once, which we’ve never been able to do before, and that’s a big part of how that impacts real-time case development, especially in felony cases,” Farber said.
The station also has a training area for officers, as well as an area where they can take breaks and relax. A locker area, evidence storage areas, a larger reception area and an elevator make the space more comfortable for police and the public. Bathrooms have also been renovated and expanded. Other police agencies have even visited the station to use the training facility and see the building, Farber said, something they were never able to do before.
Even outside, Farber said, the additional cameras on the outside give Schuyler residents a place to conduct transactions or custody transfers knowing someone is keeping an eye on things to make sure no one gets hurt. The camera system also ensures that police can keep an eye on those being questioned or in custody at all times.
“It’s everything. It’s this square, this space, and we have a place where people feel comfortable coming here, they feel like they have a safe place. They can come here,” Farber said.
