BY GLENN FREEMAN

More than three years after incorporation, some have wondered whether Eastvale, a city of nearly 60,000 residents, should have its own police substation. The young city currently contracts with the Riverside County Sheriff for policing services and are based at the department’s Jurupa Valley station.

Situated on Mission Boulevard near Valley, the station is approximately eight miles from the Gateway shopping center, where Eastvale’s City Hall is located. The station serves the cities of Jurupa Valley and Norco as well as nearby unincorporated communities, including Highgrove, Home Gardens, Coronita, and El Cerrito. There is also a separate substation in Norco.

Michele Nissen, Public Information Officer for Eastvale, points out that although officers begin their shifts with daily briefings at the Jurupa Valley station, “they head to Eastvale where they remain until the end of their watch. I think there is a misunderstanding that they come and go throughout the day from the Jurupa Valley Station, which is completely incorrect,” Nissen said in an email.

Lieutenant Mike Yates of the Jurupa Valley station confirmed that officers spend their entire shift in Eastvale following the daily briefing. He also said the average response time for priority one calls in Eastvale is 6.27 minutes.

Regarding the substation, Nissen says that due to budget constraints, there are no current plans to build one, and that to do so would be “cost prohibitive.”

Eastvale Planning Commissioner Joe Tessari says the idea of a substation “has been on the radar.” He agrees the current city budget makes it difficult to establish one in the immediate future. “However, we should keep it as a long term goal,” Tessari says.

Tessari expanded by saying he would like to see planning started on setting aside funds for a civic center, which he says would likely include a city hall and police substation. “A one-stop service center for the general public…Possibly 4-5 years down the road,” Tessari says, mentioning that any resolution with the state over the Vehicle Licensing Fees could help fund such a project.

In the meantime, Tessari, who was a candidate to fill the city council seat vacated by former councilmember Kelly Howell, suggests Eastvale could explore other options, including the possibility of sharing space at the current Sheriff’s substation in Norco.

“I’m not sure there is space (in Norco), but if our officers could change into their uniforms and park vehicles there, this would help save travel time,” says Tessari, explaining current patrol allocations from the Sheriff includes travel time to Eastvale from the Jurupa Valley station.

Located behind the Stater Bros. shopping center on Hamner Avenue near Fourth Street, the Norco substation is about two miles from Eastvale’s southern city limit and approximately five miles from Eastvale City Hall.

According to Captain Danny Feltenberger, who oversees the Jurupa Valley station, there are 27 full-time equivalent sworn positions in the Eastvale department. Finance documents for 2013-14 posted on Eastvale’s website indicate the contract will consume $6.17 million from the city’s overall general fund budget of $10.7 million.

In comparison, Chino Hills contracts with San Bernardino County Sheriff for its police. The city’s public safety budget for 2013-14 is $11.26 million and includes 38 deputies, according to Denise Sesma of the Chino Hills station.

Elsewhere, the cities of Diamond Bar and Walnut in eastern Los Angeles County both contract with Los Angeles County Sheriff for policing services, sharing a substation in Walnut. Finance documents for 2013-14 posted on the respective city websites indicate Diamond Bar pays $5.91 million for 21 deputies, and Walnut pays $2.87 million for 8 deputies.

“As for a substation (in Eastvale), that is a decision for the city to ponder and decide.  I would offer my input if asked. But ultimately, the decision and any associated costs would be decided and borne by the city of Eastvale,” says Capt. Feltenberger.