LAUREL, Del. — The Laurel Police Department recently celebrated the opening of its newly renovated facility, a significant upgrade from their previous cramped quarters. The new building, located on the site of the former Paul Laurence Dunbar Elementary School, offers nearly five times the space of the department’s previous home.
Chief Robert Kracyla expressed excitement over the department’s new space, which provides essential amenities to officers and the community. “This building is a game changer for the town of Laurel and the Laurel Police Department,” said Kracyla. The renovated facility includes a community room, new detainment rooms, interview rooms, locker rooms, shower facilities, and a kitchen. In the near future, a fitness room with workout equipment will also be added to further support officer well-being.
The $2.3 million project, funded through a state grant, took nearly six years to complete. The police department had long outgrown its previous location, with officers working in tight conditions and sharing bathroom facilities with detainees. Kracyla emphasized the importance of the new facility in ensuring both safety and comfort for officers and the community.
In addition to the upgraded headquarters, the department is also enhancing security across the town by installing surveillance cameras capable of reading license plates and recognizing faces from up to 600 feet away. This initiative aims to bolster safety for both residents and officers.
With these new improvements, the Laurel Police Department is better positioned to serve the community, recruit new officers, and ensure public safety.