By Patrick Baron

BLOOMINGTON – To help ease the minds of residents in the community about a potential police substation, Mid Central Community Action held an open house at the proposed substation location on Bloomington’s west side.

With cookies and hot chocolate available to those present, MCCA Director of Resource Development and Community Engagement Matthew Drat explained that the open house was meant to get feedback from those living in the neighborhood.

“We want to make sure that we are fully engaged in the conversation with all groups and all of our neighbors in this area of West Bloomington to make sure that we are doing what they want,” said Drat. “This is about what the residents of this community want, not what Mid Central Community Action wants, it’s about what they consider important.”

With the children making Christmas cards in one room, the living room was designated for conversation with MCCA employees and local officials. One such official attending the event was Ward 1 alderman Kevin Lower, who expressed support for a substation.

“I was curious and very hopeful that this will be a positive position to do what the police department would like to do,” said Lower.

The city council will vote next month to approve or shut down the substation idea, but until then, Drat says it gives MCCA more time to connect with the community and get a better idea of what they want for their livelihoods.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].