Police move into new digs

Costa Mesa residents shouldn’t find any services lacking while Police Department employees continue their shift into the larger, renovated main building, officials said Monday.

“Everything’s gotten better [for residents],” said Lt. Clay Epperson, working out of the station’s new watch commander’s office.

Two years ago this month, city officials broke ground on the first major renovation of the Police Department in more than 40 years at the cost of $27 million.

The renovation includes thousands of feet of extra space and updated jail facilities.

Last week, employees in the police station’s mobile buildings between the department and City Hall began moving, boxes and all, into the new building. Among those moving around are the detective’s bureau, the watch commander’s office and the records department.

Inside, the front-desk area where staff members greet the public has already been opened.

Visitors will now find a much larger and quieter area to speak with officers compared with what it was during construction.

All department changes are expected to be completed as scheduled in the spring, officials said.

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at [email protected].