KISSIMMEE, Fla. — A fully-operational command center for the sheriff’s office is opening on the west side of Osceola County. Authorities say it’s needed because of the growing population and tourists.
- New command center will open in a year and a half
- Sheriff's office says it's needed in the west side of the county
- The building costs $5.5 million
The Visitor’s Flea Market on West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway is popular among tourists in Kissimmee. Aaron Hoffner works at the flea market, at a shop that sells games called Retro City.
“They’re very rare. Look at the titles… We keep the good ones, we keep them in here,” Hoffner said.
They sell many old school games you don’t see anymore, and gamer collectibles -- stuff thieves might train their eye on.
Hoffner is happy to hear that the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office will bring a command center right next door.
“I think it’s a good idea," Hoffner said. "I like that very much.”
This abandoned Publix supermarket off U.S. Highway 192 and across Old Town will be the new command center, offering faster response times for the west side of town. The building costs $5.5 million, and it is a 5.5 acre site that will hold about 150 personnel.
“Along with the growth, we expect this agency to grow, so we’re going to have a lot more deputies," said Major Jacob Ruiz with the sheriff's office. "We have a rigorous recruitment system here. We have a brand new recruiting unit that Sheriff Gibson put in place. And so the recruitment, and all the efforts going on with the growth of the county go hand-in-hand in how we are going to add more presence and more deputies on the road on that sector.”
Hoffner is hoping this new command center will not only help keep crime away, but make visitors feel safer while shopping and therefore bring more business his way.
This new command center has to get remodeled, and will be ready to open in about a year and a half.