Town citizens get a close-up look at ‘their’ new police building

Town and police officials led by Vice-Mayor Bill Sealock and Chief Kahle Magalis cut the ribbon on FRPD’s heaven on earth at 900 Monroe Ave. Royal Examiner Photos/Roger Bianchini

The Town of Front Royal and its Police Department officially cut the ribbon on the new police headquarters, accompanied by a color guard flying of the national, state and town flags over the 900 Monroe Avenue address. FRPD transferred its base of operations from multiple locations into the approximately $10 million, 21,000 square-foot, two-building facility in late April.

Police Chief Kahle Magalis welcomed the public to an open house celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday morning in pleasant late spring weather. The event featured departmental presentations and refreshments punctuating the public look-see at what after years in undersized and separated locations must certainly seem like an operational heaven on earth to the town police force.

It is a facility the FRPD Chief pointed out is designed to carry the department 40 years into the future. FRPD currently employs 52 staff, including 39 sworn law enforcement officers and 13 civilian support staff.

Chief Kahle Magalis greets town citizens to ‘their’ new FRPD headquarters

One of the first rooms visitors saw was a public meeting room. As Chief Magalis told us during our late April tour, “If somebody needs a meeting space and we’re able to make it happen for them then we’ll do that – this is the citizen’s building, we’re just living in it,” Magalis said of the community’s $10-million investment in a state-of-the-art police headquarters.

Magalis called the police headquarters project and its result a sign of community unity and purpose he hopes will help move us past the division and legal repercussions stemming from the EDA financial scandal.

“I hope it can help us to stand up and look to the future with positivity and put aside a lot of the negativity that has been plaguing our community for a while. So moving forward that’s what we’re looking for; and we’re just thankful you could all be a part of this special day for us. Thank you for coming out – enjoy the day,” Magalis said in inviting the first wave of citizens present for the ribbon cutting and presentation of colors at 11 a.m.

Captain Crystal Cline plays door officer at front entrance

And as Royal Examiner documented in our photographic tour of the facility on April 29, what FRPD has located to from its temporary headquarters based out of the 7,236 s.f. former Warren County Sheriff’s Office rented at $5,000 per month from the County is a 21,000 s.f. facility, including a 14,600 s.f. main structure and 6,400 s.f. auxiliary building.

FRPD settles into its new home with a smile – and continued unpacking

The last Town-owned police headquarters in the former post office at the intersection of West Main Street and Luray Avenue totaled 4,032 s.f. FRPD left that building in 2013 under a combination of space and mold issues, the latter uncovered during renovations undertaken at the time.

Artist’s rendering of aerial perspective on the two-building complex

The FRPD Color Guard raises the national, state and town flags over FRPD to kick off Saturday’s open house – WITH refreshments!!!

It’s true – some officers have gone to the dogs – but that’s NOT always a bad thing

And the tour is on, WITH hot dogs, pizza, cookies and sodas served in the garage area to rear of complex – YUM …