Lexington’s new $35 million police station, through the eyes of local Scouts

Clad in patch-filled blue shirts, neckerchiefs, and matching baseball caps, 40 members of Lexington’s Scout Pack 160 crowded the town’s brand-new police department — located at 1575 Mass. Ave., the same site as the old station — on Thursday night.  

After performing their flag ceremony in the parking lot, the elementary-aged scouts embarked on a guided tour of the $34.85 million building, led by Jeff Chaisson, LPD community service detective, Joseph Sullivan, LPD patrol officer and Watson, LPD canine officer. That tall price tag includes funds spent on construction, design, engineering, architectural services, and the station’s temporary placement on Bedford Street amid construction.

Here’s what the scouts saw. 

On the other side of the building’s front doors, the scouts encountered dramatically tall ceilings, freshly painted white and gray hallways, brass water fountains, and contemporary light fixtures. While the building has been open since June 27, it still had that new-car smell when the scouts visited. 

The young Scouts serenaded their tour guides with “oohs,” “ahhs” and “wows” as they admired the new space and learned what local police do to keep the community safe.

Asked what her favorite part of the tour was, Linnea Andersson, a wolf-ranked scout in second grade, told LexObserver, “without question the evidence room, it was so cool.”

That’s where items seized during investigations — such as drugs or weapons — which can later be used in court, are safely stored to preserve their authenticity. 

Upstairs from the evidence room, the facility’s second floor boasts a state-of-the-art gym complete with treadmills, stationary bikes, a full rack of dumbbells, weight benches and various pieces of strength training equipment. While there is no fitness requirement for LPD officers, the room is for staff to use if they want to stay in shape.  

Down the hall from the gym, there is a cutting-edge de-escalation room where officers practice how to mitigate potentially violent situations, such as people experiencing mental health crises, through simulated real-life scenarios.  

Downstairs on the building’s first floor, there’s a large community room with tables and chairs used for internal and public meetings and police training-sessions — another feature the old building, which was built in 1956, did not have. 

The station also showcases a large attached garage that can house nine vehicles, including the LPD’s dog-friendly vehicle. That tricked-out car is customized to transport Watson, and LDP’s other comfort dog, Maisey, without risking them jumping out a window. 

Throughout the station, there are many break-room areas with tables, chairs, mounted televisions and full kitchens where officers can gather, eat meals and watch cable TV if they have time. 

While the new building includes many features that the old station did not, the department no longer has an on-site shooting range. Now, instead of practicing using firearms on-site, officers travel to the back of the town’s transfer station to refine their shooting skills.

Even though the new building opened at the beginning of the summer, the project is not entirely done. Lexington is still appropriating funds to install parking canopies with rooftop solar panels and battery storage. Those additions are projected to cost another $3.4 million, bringing the total cost of the project up to $38.5 million. 

The scouts were able to tour the new facility as a part of their “Ready Cub” program, which aims to educate youth in disaster preparedness by introducing them to local first responders and completing related projects. LPD will not otherwise be hosting tours for interested members of the public.