The Mobile Police Department’s First Precinct is relocating to a new building off Dauphin Island Parkway, a move city leaders say will put officers closer to the neighborhoods they serve and cut response times.
The current precinct on Virginia and Broad streets will close once renovations are complete. The new location will also house a city magistrate.
Long-Awaited Move for District 3
“Many times citizens down here on DIP really just thought they had been forgotten about,” said Mobile City Councilman CJ Small, who represents the area. The precinct’s arrival follows years of requests from residents who have dealt with high crime rates — including five homicides in the precinct’s area by late May 2021, the second-highest rate in the city.
Mayor Sandy Stimpson said the old facilities were designed for other services and that the new precinct will allow for more positive community interactions as well as faster emergency response. Construction and renovations are expected to wrap up by year’s end.