Police plan for substation in Fort Myers neighborhood

FORT MYERS, Fla.- Police are hoping a substation will help one neighborhood riddled with crime.

The substation would be just next door to the site of a deadly shooting that happened in September 2012 on Davis Court.

“I don’t think they should be out here. Period,” said one neighbor who wished not to be identified. “They come out here, they harass us. They blame everything on everybody that’s out here.”

Fort Myers Police Chief Doug Baker told WINK News their goal is to reduce crime in Harlem Lakes.

“It’s an opportunity to continue to build on relationships and to reduce our violent crimes,” Baker said, “specifically shootings and homicides.”

Chief Baker is hoping the substation will open communication with neighbors.

“(A place) you can bring services in,” Baker explained, “you can have meetings in. That way, they don’t have to drive some place. It’s right there in their neighborhood.”

Since the beginning of this year, there have been nearly 500 calls made to police from Harlem Lakes. The Fort Myers City Council is expected to make a final decision June 3.