Room to move

New HQ for state police

By PAT CAMUSO

BLOOMING GROVE — The new Pennsylvania State Police barracks on Route 402 in Blooming Grove Township is up and running.

Police personnel began moving on Friday morning, June 28, as construction workers took care of last minute details.

According to police spokesperson Sergeant Rodger Smith, it was a long-awaited day for the men and women who work at the old headquarters. “We used to have four or five people sharing one workspace,” said Smith. “Now we have the room we need.”

Smith explained that, along with personal space, the new building also allows room for additional equipment that the barracks has sorely needed, such as more computers consoles. “All in all, we hope the changes will allow us to operate at a more efficient level with much better productivity,” said Smith.

Smith said the barracks would be up and running by the end of the day. A formal dedication is scheduled for sometime in the fall.

Despite a recent behind-closed-doors initiative by local politicians to save the old barracks that stands adjacent to the new structure, Smith said the original building must be torn down for several reasons, including the creation of needed parking areas.

The barracks is located at the edge of the sprawling Delaware State Forest on Route 402 approximately one mile north of Interstate 84. Smith said the new Pennsylvania state police phone number is 570/226-5718. For an emergency, however, a call to 911 will dispatch police.