LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – The engine revved from a police SUV disappearing through the side gate of the West Henderson Substation, but the lobby hasn’t been open in years—is anybody home?
The question of community safety in the growing Inspirada neighborhood was a political lightning rod for then-candidate Dr. Monica Larson. She cited the lack of apparent policing in her community as a concern and pointed to the unstaffed new police substation nearby.
“We started to have attempted home invasions, vehicle thefts, attempted break-ins, peeping toms, child luring,” Larson said during a January interview with 8 News Now. “Like this all happened within a very close time frame within a couple months.”
Upon winning her election for the Henderson council seat, Larson repeated community safety remained a top priority and informed neighbors—during public, morning meetings—good news was on the way.
Henderson’s West Substation was expected initially to have front desk staff by May, but the city was able to fill the seats before the expected deadline.
“I am thrilled to see the Henderson Police Department West Substation reach the next milestone in becoming fully operational,” Larson wrote in a statement to 8 News Now. “The initial plan was to open the front desk at the West Substation in August, but I am very pleased that we were able to move that schedule up by several months.”
Neighbors in the Inspirada community have had access to the fresh faces in the lobby since Apr. 21, according to a city statement. The public can access officers at the front desk from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, including holidays.
Larson added the race to fully staff the substation is close to the finish line, but the city is facing several hurdles.
“Although we face recruitment challenges like cities across the nation, our HPD leadership has worked hard to hire and train stellar personnel to help serve the community safety needs of the growing neighborhoods in West Henderson,” she wrote. “Our recent Henderson Police Academies have graduated the highest number of officers in years.”
The Henderson Police Academy has already ushered 24 recent graduates into field training as another 17 officers are continuing through the academy, according to Larson.
“As officers complete their training, they will be assigned to meet needs across the city, including the West Substation,” she wrote.
Larson thanked the Acting Chief Itzhak Henn and his leadership team for their efforts to make the substation a priority—Henn announced his June retirement from the police department this week.
