The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office will occupy a new substation along the county’s northern coast, following a vote by the county Board of Supervisors this week to finalize a lease on the new outpost.
The North Coast Sheriff’s Service Center will be located at 450 Highway 1 in the unincorporated area of Davenport.
County leaders decided to pursue the substation in November 2024 in anticipation of increased visitor traffic to Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument north of Davenport that was established in 2017 that just opened last week and will include a new parking lot and trailhead expected to increase visitors.
The 5,097-square-foot existing commercial property will be shared by the Sheriff’s Office and the county Parks Department. The county’s lease is for five years, starting in September.
The county will pay a company called Ramshackle & Overburden LLC $2,650, or $31,800 annually, plus utilities, with a 3% annual increase in the monthly rate, according to the county staff report. The rent represents $500 for the Parks Department and $2,150 for the Sheriff’s Office.
The substation is expected to reduce costs and increase response times, as well as create a place for volunteers and partner organizations to organize trail maintenance and other services to support the national monument.
“This new service center represents an investment in both public safety and quality of life for the North Coast,” said Supervisor Justin Cummings, who led efforts to establish the service center. “By colocating with County Parks, we are creating long term efficiencies while ensuring residents and visitors alike have access to the services they need,” he said.
The substation will be staffed by a community policing deputy who will split their time between the San Lorenzo Valley and the North Coast, and a part-time community policing sergeant that will split time between Live Oak and the North Coast, along with volunteers.
“This new substation formalizes our commitment to serving the North Coast community,” Sheriff Chris Clark said in a statement. “By making sure residents and visitors alike have a direct connection to the Sheriff’s Office, we can respond quickly, engage directly, and ensure all have a great experience along the North Coast.”