The Savannah Police Department held a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for their new Northwest Precinct, located at 602 E. Lathrop Ave. near the intersection of West Bay Street.

More than 100 community members, police officers, local leaders and city staff attended the event. The precinct covers downtown Savannah, West Savannah, and the Highlands. Previously the Northwest Precinct officers were assigned to the former Downtown Precinct which was located just a few blocks away on East Lathrop Avenue.

The City signed a long-term lease agreement with Great Dane after they relocated their corporate office. Police will use the 22,000 sq./ft. facility to house the precinct patrol officers, precinct detectives, the Traffic Unit, Internal Affairs Unit, Records Management Unit and the Personnel/Budget Office.

The Northwest Precinct is located in District 1, Alderman Van Johnson’s district. “We want to send a very clear message that criminals are not welcome in this community,” he said. “On this prominent spot where they once saw the Great Dane Dog, they now see police.”

Police Chief Mark Revenew said, “In the short time that I have been here, the City Council and Administration has made one thing perfectly clear. Public Safety is their number one priority. This is proof of that commitment.”

Following the ribbon cutting police offered tours of the facility. Outside the precinct local businesses gave away free ice cream, donuts, coffee and barbecue. Police and fire vehicles were on display and a bounce-house was set up for the children.

The opening of this new facility aligns with the City’s Savannah Forward strategic plan priority of improving public safety.