New offices for Mexico police

MEXICO -- The Mexico Police Department, as well as Police Explorers, have moved from the Mexico Recreation Center to the adjacent building that housed the central offices of the former SAD 43.

Not only are they now apart from the sometimes noisy activities of the rec center, but as Chief James Theriault noted, "This is going to be so much more professional."

The police department has the entire first floor, although the former conference room used by SAD 43 is now used by the Mexico Lions Club. Police now have a conference room, a witness room, two offices, a patrol officers room, space for lockers and crime evidence and a couple of rooms for the explorers.

Theriault, president of the Mexico Lions, said the cost of the move was around $200 for the phones and cables, and $250 for carpet cleaning, a cost shared with the Lions Club.

The rest was done with labor by the officers as well as eight present and former explorers.

Lt. Roy Hodsdon said there will be a camera in the hallway so they can see people coming in and a window at the end of the indoor ramp where people can come to the window to see an officer, when someone is usually available during weekdays.

The police department's offices have definitely improved over time. They once occupied a small room in the town office, then moved into a small basement section of the library, before moving to the rec building a few years ago.

Hodsdon said that since he has been with the police force in 2003, this is also the first time the five-man department has been fully accredited.

Within the next month, Hodsdon said the department will hold an open house.