Geneva police release virtual tour, say current 20 Police Plaza is cramped and poses safety risks ahead of March referendum

Geneva — As voters prepare for a March referendum on a proposed new police facility, Geneva Police Department leaders released a virtual tour of the current station at 20 Police Plaza, arguing the complex’s age and design limit operations and pose safety and privacy problems.

"This is where our officers start and end their shift each day," Chief Eric Pasarelli said in the tour, pointing to the roll call room where, he said, "12 officers in this room" crowd for shift change and struggle to share critical information and equipment such as body cameras and radios. He added that the same space serves as the department’s largest training area, making it difficult to host larger classes or visiting officers without disrupting daily operations.

Deputy Chief Matt Dean described the interview room as too small and poorly located relative to the booking area, saying that moving a suspect or conducting private interviews can require escorting people through other operational areas or outside through the lobby. "Imagine being in this room if you were a family," Dean said, noting the lack of privacy for victims and witnesses.

Pasarelli and other officers detailed additional operational limitations. They said the booking area’s garage was never designed as a police facility, creating tight spaces that complicate prisoner transfers. The department said its sally port does not permit an ambulance to enter the building, requiring medical transfers to happen outside — a setup they described as creating increased escape and safety risks.

The department also cited frequent sanitary backups and roof leaks that have flooded areas and jeopardized electronics, forcing officers to take a daily step of flushing toilets to reduce backups. An unnamed sergeant and other staff described cramped investigation workspaces that leave little room to layout evidence during joint investigations and noted that lighting and moisture have caused electrical problems.

Parking and vehicle storage also drew criticism. The department said it can fit three squad cars in its on-site garage and stores additional equipment outside; Deputy Chief Dean said shared access points with nearby businesses and outdoor parking expose vehicles to snow and ice in winter and leave technology in squad cars less secure. "Having a secured parking lot would help protect those investments for the city," he said.

The tour framed the issues as a case for replacing a complex made up of three buildings constructed in 1915, 1953 and 1987. Narration on the video said the city acquired the property in 1953 and noted previous uses including a car dealership, the fire department, public works and Tricom Central Dispatch. The narration also said officers would explain why the facility does not meet the standards the department said are required under Illinois law.

City materials accompanying the tour direct residents to the Geneva website for referendum details, architectural renderings, an estimated tax impact calculator and tour registration. The department said the city has invested in maintenance but that the current setup is no longer sustainable and that a new facility would help meet modern policing needs.

No formal vote or council action was recorded in the tour video; officials said the next step is the referendum in March and provided online resources for voters.