By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

NORTH SHELBY—Members of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office were joined by county commissioners, Greater Shelby County and South Shelby chamber representatives, Hoover police officers and local citizens to celebrate the grand opening of the SCSO North Substation on Oct. 19.

Complete with computer equipped officer workstations, a meeting room and a full-time receptionist, the North Substation offers citizens a number of SCSO services. Citizens can stop by to purchase or renew a pistol permit, get a copy of an incident, accident or offense report and schedule to meet with a deputy.

The North Substation is the fourth SCSO satellite location, and aside from the main location, the only one with a full-time staff member.

“It was one of my campaign initiatives,” Shelby County Sheriff John Samaniego said, noting roughly 60,000 people live within a five-mile radius of the substation. “It’s just so important to deliver the services to the citizens, and to make it convenient.”

The substation is also convenient for SCSO deputies who patrol the roughly five different U.S. 280 beats, Samaniego said. Rather than travel to Columbiana, deputies can use the workstations at the substation to complete paperwork.

“It’s good for the men and women that work for the Sheriff’s Office,” Samaniego said. “It’s a win-win.”

The process of opening the new location was a group effort involving the Shelby County Commission and SCSO.

The new SCSO location has been well received by the public and has been busy since opening at the beginning of the month, Samaniego said.

The North Substation is located at 5511 U.S. 280, suite 117. It is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To reach the substation by phone, call 670-6280.