Redondo Square Shopping Center is home to Des Moines' new south police station, thanks to the combined efforts of city officials, business leaders, community members and the police department.

Police Chief Roger Baker said last week that when prostitution, drugs and violence began to center around Redondo Square in south Des Moines, businesses there turned to the department for help.

At that point, the Joshua Green Corporation, a property management company located in Redondo Square, stepped forward to offer a public/private partnership that city officials couldn't refuse: a five-year agreement for the department to occupy a store-front location there rent free.

Des Moines voters made necessary renovations of the space possible by approving a property tax levy lid lift last year.

After a remodeling project that took over a year to complete, the new south station was inaugurated with an official ribbon cutting ceremony on June 14, followed by an open house on June 16 that was well attended.

The south station at 27041 Pacific Hwy. S. Is designed so officers on patrol in the area do not have to drive six miles north to utilize facilities at the main station in downtown Des Moines, which maintains a police presence there.

With just under 2,000 square feet, the substation features computer equipment, a kitchen and a large meeting room.

Baker said the station will help the department identify with the community it serves and will enable officers to have much better contact with citizens.

"We want the public to use it and feel comfortable here. It is their building and they own it," he said.

Baker added that the station, in addition to being a city facility for community meetings, could serve as an alternative emergency station.

Even before the south station opened, it had a positive impact on the Redondo area.

From the moment the department hung a sign announcing the future police presence there, business tenants of Redondo Square began reporting a reduction in observable criminal behavior.

"We will be monitoring the impact of the presence of the south station on crime activity in the area and I am anxious to look at the station's impact in the south end of the city and on reported crimes," said Baker.

Although the station will be accessible to officers 24 hours, it is only open to the public for a couple of hours in the afternoon several days a week. Those hours will be adjusted to fit the needs of the public.