New substation hopes to fill gap in police presence in north Austin

An area in northwest Austin is home to a new safety center. It's a trailer that will serve as a substation of sorts and will be used by Austin police officers and Williamson County sheriff's deputies.

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An area in northwest Austin is home to a new safety center. It's a trailer that will serve as a substation of sorts and be used by Austin police officers and Williamson County sheriff's deputies.

It was an idea from Austin councilwoman Mackenzie Kelly, who oversees District 6.

"This was driven by the ongoing concerns of the community and the critical need for a dedicated space for our officers to conduct investigative functions, write reports, and engage directly with community members," Kelly said.

The substation is currently located outside an office building on Pecan Park Boulevard. The goal is to hopefully one day have a more permanent solution.

For people who live nearby, it is a welcome sight to the neighborhood.

"As a community, we want to feel safe where we live. And a lot of that has been sort of dismantled, but I think this is a good step," said Tina Rodriguez.

The goal of the substation is to allow officers to work there, do paperwork, but also to meet people in the area.

"Our officers have a place to land a lot quicker, mine aren't coming from Georgetown, they're not coming from across the town. Like the chief said, his are not coming from downtown Austin," Williamson County Sheriff Mike Gleason said.

Williamson County reporter Barrett Tryon is working on this story. You can see his full report tonight on KXAN News at 6.