Middle Police Open Rio Substation

RIO GRANDE – Middle Township Police Department held a ribbon cutting and press conference May 26 at 11 a.m., marking the opening of the new Rio Grande Substation, 1602 Route 47 South. 
In his opening remarks, Chief Christopher Leusner stated the substation will be a fully-functional police station which will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year.
According to literature provided, residents and visitors will be able to access the services of the Middle Township Police Department by walking into the lobby of the substation and picking up the phone there, just as if they had traveled to Police Department headquarters in Court House. 
Leusner also announced a new service; the lobby of the substation is designated as a ‘Safe Exchange Zone,’ a place under 24-hour video surveillance where online buyers and sellers can meet and feel safe doing so.
Beginning in June, the Police Department will begin using the substation to process arrestees with minor offenses, such as shoplifting, “which will result in faster processing times, making operations more efficient,” said Leusner.
Stated in the program provided, “This increased presence will have a positive effect on Rio Grande, increase public safety and create an environment where our residents and visitors can come and feel safe.”
Leusner thanked the Feraco Family, who are leasing the substation to the township for $1 a year, and also covered construction costs, making sure the substation was ready for its grand opening Thursday.
Middle Township Mayor Michael Clark, Deputy Mayor Jeffrey DeVico, and Committeeman Timothy Donohue, director of public safety, remarked on the substation’s opening.
Tom Feraco spoke on behalf of the Feraco Family, “We wanted to give back to the city and to the businesses, and felt this was the best thing we could do.”
Prosecutor Robert Taylor and Sheriff Gary Schaffer lauded the new substation, with Taylor calling it “innovative.” According to Leusner, Prosecutor’s and Sheriff’s officers will have access to the substation.
“I know we’ll make Middle Township safer with this facility,” said James Plousis, New Jersey State Parole Board chairman.
Following the ribbon cutting, Middle Township Police Department opened the substation to the public for an open house until 1 p.m. Attendees were treated to pretzels donated by Philly Pretzel Factory. Refreshments were also served. 
According to a previous Herald report, a Rio Grande substation is not new. One existed in a facility behind J.C. Penny in Rio Grande Plaza for years. The new site is more visible, located on Route 47 South.