VILLAS – Lower Township police have opened a substation in Diamond Beach at a new location in Seapointe Village.
The substation located in the Pinnacle Building is manned 24-hours per day by a police officer.
Lower Township Councilman Glenn Douglass said Seapointe Village is providing the office space rent free of charge, courtesy of the homeowner’s association.
The township’s police station is located on the mainland at the county airport in Erma.
“In a sense, Diamond Beach is separated at times with the bridge being up and we have a large volume of vacationers and homeowners in that area,” said Douglass. “I think residents and visitors really appreciate having a police presence there.”
From minor incidents such as drivers locking their keys inside their cars to any kind of major incident, police can respond in two minutes, he said.
Township Manager Mike Voll said a four-wheel drive police vehicle would always be located at the substation in case there is a need to respond to an emergency on the beach. He said an ambulance is also stationed at Seapointe Village. For a more serious incident requiring a back-up, Wildwood Crest police respond under a mutual aid agreement.
Seapointe Village General Manager Jim Yost said the police substation offers peace-of-mind and some additional security for residents. He said Diamond Beach has over 1,500 homes and a capacity of 10,000 people.
“It’s nice Lower Township’s government recognizes Diamond Beach as a viable, vital part of the township,” said Yost.
Erma Volunteer Fire Company purchased a lighter-weight fire truck earlier this year in order to respond to fires in Diamond Beach. The Middle Thorofare Bridge, due to its age, has a 15-ton weight limit preventing heavier fire trucks from using the bridge. The weight limit required emergency vehicles to drive through Rio Grande and Wildwood to respond on scene in Diamond Beach.
