Rocky Mount Police Department adds new office to train station

The Rocky Mount Train Station hosts hundreds of travelers. Soon, the people passing through will share the space with the Rocky Mount Police Department.

The Rocky Mount Police Department is months away from moving into a newly renovated office space inside the train station. It will be the first time the police department will have a full-time presence in the building.

President and CEO of the Rocky Mount Chamber of Commerce David Farris said he has worked in the building for about seven years. He is looking forward to having new neighbors.

"When you see the police badge, it brings a level of comfort and a sense of calmness,” Farris said.

The Rocky Mount Police Department said the office will house traffic enforcement, the crash reconstruction group, and parking enforcement.

Its primary purpose is to provide a comfortable office space for its officers. In addition, the police presence will increase security.

"You are going to walk right by the police. You are going to come in, and police cars are here. I think having that kind of presence is a game changer for Rocky Mount,” Farris said.

The project’s estimated cost is $152,454.20 and includes a break room for Amtrak.

Sergeant Richard Rogers is one of four police officers who will work in the building.

“Having a regular presence acts as a deterrent," he said. "I think it will make a difference that people see us on a very regular basis."

WRAL asked several travelers what they thought about having police officers in the station. Many said they were excited because they had noticed petty crime around the station.

Margaret Hardy was traveling from Greenville to Virginia. She said she experienced a car speeding around the train station earlier in the day.

"There was an incident this morning. It was a little bit frightening, Margaret Hardy.

The Rocky Mount Police Department said the train station will no longer use the previous security services from Allied Universal. It said the city will save the city $1 million over the next 10 years by using its officers as a new security mechanism.

The police department expects the project to be complete in about three months.