Cash Crunch Imperils Police Storefront

Financially strapped and unable to cover its $700 monthly rent, the 3-year-old Ventura Police Downtown Storefront may close its doors early next month, officials said Friday.

The Downtown Ventura Community Council covers the rent using membership fees and money collected at fund-raisers.

But while membership is increasing, funds have fallen short of the rent, which has increased by $50 over the past few months, said Doug Halter, council president.

Furthermore, the $9,000 raised at an auction in November went to aid four businesses damaged by a downtown fire, Halter said.

“The fire really threw us off,” Halter said.

Although as many as 100 people attend the community council meetings, there are only 46 paying members.

Residents pay $25 annually and businesses pay $100.

“We’re pushing hard to get more membership,” Halter said.

Now, downtown council members plan to turn to the city of Ventura for help.

“We know the city is really tight with its money right now,” Halter said. “But if we can get money that will hold us over, even that would help.”

Mayor Jim Friedman on Friday was unaware of a problem with funding at the storefront and could not comment on the matter.

Halter said the issue will be discussed at a community council meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 36 S. Figueroa St.

The council, which addresses issues facing downtown--from beautifying the area to reducing the number of homeless people--meets the fourth Tuesday of each month.

Sgt. Larry White, who oversees the downtown storefront at 309 E. Main St. as well as the two other storefronts in Ventura, lamented the possible closure.

Property owners have donated space for the city’s other two police storefronts, where officers write reports and run background and warrant checks.

They are also places where people can go to report crimes.

If someone walks in with a problem, volunteers page officers who patrol the areas on foot.

“People love it,” White said of the storefronts. “They get a feeling of being safe because of the high presence of police officers. . . . It’s also going to be more difficult on our operations. If you had to work out of your car, it would be difficult for you.”

The four officers who work out of the downtown storefront during the day would continue to patrol the area on foot, White said.

But they would park in the area and work out of their cars.

At the meeting, Halter said, members will discuss approaching the city for the money and debate the possibility of holding an emergency fund-raiser.

If they can quickly raise $300, the storefront could remain open through the end of February.

“We’re all in limbo until after the meeting,” White said.