Lexington police donate $1,050 to local breast‑cancer fund, outline evidence‑room and patrol‑area renovation needs

Police Chief Green presented a plan Monday night for renovating the Lexington Police Department to add office space for detectives, expand evidence storage and create a dedicated conference/training area, and the department also presented a $1,050 donation to a local breast‑cancer fund.

The renovation plan, offered as a first introduction to council, would repurpose obsolete spaces (including a former photo darkroom and a hallway) to provide private detective workstations, a larger supervisor or victim‑advocate office, and a dedicated conference area. Chief Green said the changes would also “more than double our space for storing evidence” and add pass‑through evidence lockers, refrigerated storage for biosensitive items, and lockers for electronic devices.

The project was framed in part as a response to growth: the department’s criminal investigations unit grew from roughly three personnel in 2002 to an 11‑person division now, including six detectives, a crime‑scene investigator and a victim’s advocate. Chief Green told council the department currently holds “over 42,000 items” in evidence and takes in “over 4,000 pieces of evidence” year to year; limited storage risks compromising chain of custody, he said.

The department also presented a ceremonial donation. Chief Green introduced Mackenzie Mannen from the Lexington Medical Center Foundation and handed over a check for $1,050 raised from sales of breast‑cancer awareness patches; Mannen said the foundation uses funds for local patient supports such as wigs and post‑mastectomy kits and that proceeds are spent locally in the district.

Town staff told council the renovation concept and any associated expenditures will be routed through the town’s capital improvement plan (CIP). Assistant Town Administrator Stuart Ford said modifications to town hall facilities are included in the updated CIP and that council will see related agenda items during the scheduled CIP update (first reading and budget discussions will follow). Ford noted that impact‑fee revenues were identified as a possible funding source in the CIP; however, staff and council members pointed out timing and policy choices could delay availability. Council member Karnes and others discussed alternatives, including budgeting from the general fund or identifying other revenue sources if the council elects not to use impact fees.

Mayor and council members treated the presentation as an initial briefing and asked staff to include the project in future budget/CIP materials. Chief Green and staff did not request an immediate appropriation at the work session; no formal funding action was taken that evening.