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Stockton council approves two police substations for South Stockton amid community demand
Summary
After hearing weeks of public calls for greater police visibility in South Stockton, the council approved formation and funding for substations in Western Ranch and Sierra Vista, directing staff to open the locations and pursue startup funding and partnerships; vote passed 6–1.
The Stockton City Council voted to proceed with formation and funding for police substations in Western Ranch and Sierra Vista following a lengthy presentation from Chief Stanley McFadden and sustained public comment from South Stockton residents.
Chief McFadden described a multi‑phase approach that would restore the Western Ranch storefront substation opened in 2006 and create a new Sierra Vista location. He said substations improve community safety by increasing police visibility, enabling faster responses within the substation’s assigned area and providing a local point of contact for community meetings and services. The chief presented startup cost estimates and annual operating figures: one‑time funding needs (including build‑out, vehicle upfits and equipment) were estimated at roughly $168,000 for Sierra Vista and about $281,000 for Western Ranch; ongoing operating costs were projected around $605,000 (Sierra Vista) and $798,000 (Western Ranch), though staff said the department planned to reallocate some existing personnel rather than create entirely new sworn positions.
Council members and residents pressed staff on where the officers would come from and how the reallocations would affect citywide patrol and strategic operations. McFadden said dedicated substation personnel would be drawn primarily from the department’s strategic/operations unit rather than from 911 patrol responders; deputies emphasized the need to balance capacity citywide.
Vice Mayor Jason Lee and several council members highlighted constituent requests for local presence and the deterrent effect of visible officers. Several residents from Western Ranch and Sierra Vista described feeling unsafe and urged prompt implementation; one public commenter said shootings and robberies in parking lots made substations necessary.
Council approved the resolution to form and fund the substations, with the motion passing 6–1. Staff said one‑time funding had been identified for fiscal year 2025–26 and that the housing authority and other partners had offered limited contributions; staff also committed to pursuing grant opportunities and other ongoing revenue sources to sustain operations.
