Ground broken for new law enforcement center
By Amy Robinson
Farmer Staff Writer
On June 2, Lt. Gov. Drew Wrigley joined state and local officials in
Watford City to kick off the construction of a new, multi-agency law
enforcement center. When completed, the McKenzie County Combined Law
Enforcement Center will include room for 129 inmates and office space
for several law enforcement agencies, including the McKenzie County
Sheriff’s Office, the Watford City Police Department, and the North
Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).
“I have to compliment the authenticity of bringing dirt from the actual
site here (ceremony held at the McKenzie County Jail parking area). That
is just how McKenzie County is. And with 14 years of law enforcement
experience, I feel right at home,” said Wrigley, who previously served
as North Dakota’s U.S. Attorney and top federal law enforcement officer.
“Our local and state law enforcement agencies know how important it is
to work together so that North Dakota remains one of the safest states
in the nation. This new center will bring several law enforcement
agencies together under one roof and it serves as another clear example
of our ongoing commitment to meeting the needs associated with strong
economic growth.”
There has been an extensive collaborative effort between several
different entities including the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office, the
Watford City Police Department, the McKenzie County Board of County
Commissioners, the City of Watford City, ICON Architecture, Construction
Engineers, and cooperation from the state level in the initiation and
pursuit of a new law enforcement center. With the continued population
growth and development over the last four to five years in the Bakken,
also comes a growth in other areas - an increase in crime, an increase
in the need for additional law enforcement manpower, and an increase in
the need for a building to hold the sheer volume of inmates in McKenzie
County.
“Heidi Brenna from ICON Architecture coordinated for Chief Art Walgren
and I to embark on a whirlwind tour of several Correction Centers and
Law Enforcement facilities throughout the state, and together we were
able to bring back several DOs and DON’Ts for a facility of this size,”
said McKenzie County Sheriff Gary Schwartzenberger. “We learned a lot
about how a combined Law Enforcement Center should properly function and
flow, and what style of jail was needed for a safe and secure facility
that will be as proficient as possible. There has been a collaborative
effort between all to ensure the long-term safety and security of the
people of McKenzie County.”
After several design reviews with ICON Architecture, city and county
officials were able to refine the plans for the new Law Enforcement
Center and get the bids out to contractors. The McKenzie County Combined
Law Enforcement Center is expected to be completed in the spring of
2017 at a cost of about $57 million. McKenzie County Auditor Linda
Svihovec said county officials are pursuing a low-interest loan from the
Bank of North Dakota to finance the center’s construction, which would
free up county revenues for other projects.
“This project just shows the spirit of cooperation on all levels,” said
Watford City Police Chief Art Walgren. “This is obviously a very
important facility for McKenzie County, and I have to give a lot of
credit to the county commissioners. This team of multiple law
enforcement agencies will all be housed together to collaborate in order
to fight crime together, which is a common goal we all share.”
North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, who also attended the
historical ground-breaking ceremony, shared with the audience his
anticipation and excitement of the new Law Enforcement Center and
incorporated a personal piece of family history that started right here
in McKenzie County over 100 years ago.
“My ancestors came here about 120 years ago, to McKenzie County,” stated
Stenehjem. “As we are breaking ground today on a new Law Enforcement
Center, my ancestors broke the virgin ground then, of the prairie. It’s
really remarkable with what is happening here. The last time I was in
Watford City at the healthcare system’s ground-breaking, I was on the
phone with my wife, and I said to her ‘I’m in Watford City and I’m
lost.’ Furthermore, I told her this time ‘I’m in Watford City, I’m lost,
AND I’m in a traffic jam!’ We’re all very happy about the development
and the economy here.”
And as is with anything good, adds Stenehjem, come the people not only
seeking the good, but the people who aren’t seeking the good, which is
why McKenzie County needs a new law enforcement center.
“This is another monumental day for Watford City,” said Watford City
Mayor Brent Sanford. “Just a few years ago, we had an expansion of the
jail which resulted in about 10 beds. Today, we need 129 beds. Hats off
to the county commission to get this key piece of community
infrastructure built. It took a lot of vision and collaboration, and it
is going to happen. It will make life easier for our law enforcement
personnel, judges, and State’s Attorney’s Office.”
The state is also supporting western North Dakota law enforcement
agencies in many other ways. Since 2011, the state has provided nearly
$10 million in Energy Impact Grant funds solely for local law
enforcement agencies in North Dakota’s oil and gas region. The grants
have supported many law enforcement enhancements, including the hiring
of additional sheriff deputies and city police officers, new patrol
vehicles, and other essential equipment upgrades, officer training, and
housing allowances. The state will provide another $10 million in Energy
Impact Grant funds to further support local law enforcement agencies
during the 2015-2017 biennium. Gov. Jack Dalrymple and the Legislature
have also supported major increases in the state’s number of Highway
Patrol troopers, BCI agents, and parole and probation officers.
“I look forward to working in close proximity with the Watford City
Police Department, the North Dakota Highway Patrol, the Bureau of
Criminal Investigation, Parole and Probation, and all other Law
Enforcement agencies that work in this county,” stated Schwartzenberger.
“I truly see a great Law Enforcement Team being built here and look
forward to working with them all. Unifying law enforcement agencies
together in one building shows the citizens of McKenzie County our
commitment to ensuring a safe and secure county to raise your families
in.”
Some of those who joined Wrigley in celebrating the center’s
construction included Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, North Dakota
Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Michael Gerhart, McKenzie County
Commission Chairman Richard Cayko, Watford City Mayor Brent Sanford,
McKenzie County Sheriff Gary Schwartzenberger, and Watford City Police
Chief Art Walgren.