PASCAGOULA — What was once a vacant gas station known for attracting crime is being transformed into a police substation that city leaders hope will improve public safety and help spur redevelopment in East Pascagoula. 

Located on the corner of Old Mobile Highway and Chicot Street, construction on phase two of the East Pascagoula Police Substation is expected to begin within the next several weeks, with completion targeted for early 2027. 

The $3.5 million project is funded through legislative appropriations and Community Development Block Grant funds, allowing the city to complete the expansion without taking on additional debt. City leaders say the investment will improve response times, provide residents with easier access to police services and support long-term redevelopment goals for the area. 

Pascagoula Mayor Jay Willis said public safety was a key factor in deciding which projects to move forward with, noting that the idea for the substation was first raised by local business owners. 

“One of our councilmen who has a business in that area made the suggestion that it would be very nice to increase the police presence out there,” Willis said. “The area has had its share of problems and deterioration in many areas that we felt like police presence would really help.” 

Deputy Police Chief John Lynd said the city’s main police station, located on the west side of Pascagoula, creates challenges for both officers and residents on the east side. 

“We have officers that make multiple arrests at one time. They have to come all the way to this side of town to book the prisoner,” Lynd said. “Also, being able to serve the public on that side — they’ll be able to come in and pay fines or pick up reports or file reports. There’s just no sense in them having to drive all the way over here, so it’ll actually increase our manpower and our response times.” 

The facility will include a fueling depot for city vehicles, along with K-9 and motorcycle training areas. 

Lynd said the expansion will help reduce overcrowding at the city’s main station and expand training opportunities. 

“We can actually put a supervisor on each shift over there, and it’ll free up office space here as we continue to grow,” Lynd said. 

He added that the department currently relies on Singing River Island for some training exercises, but the new facility will provide more consistent access, particularly for motorcycle units.

“This way, our officers in the traffic division will have a smaller course readily available to stay trained on their emergency vehicle operations,” Lynd said. “It’s going to help us with training canines, and it’s not just going to be for our officers — we’re going to open it up to any canine officer in any department, not only in the county, but anywhere in Mississippi.” 

Lynd said the substation will be staffed 24/7 by dispatch personnel, giving residents immediate access to the department. To support the expansion, the city added four dispatchers who are in training. 

“I don’t think we’ll have a problem staffing it at all,” Lynd said. “The only thing we’ve had to add was the additional dispatchers to man the desk 24/7, and we’ve hired all of those and they’re in training now. So as soon as it opens, we’ll be able to hit the ground running.” 

Willis pointed to the city’s downtown redevelopment efforts as a model, saying previous public investments helped attract private development and bring new businesses into once-vacant areas. He

said he hopes the substation will serve as a similar catalyst on the east side. 

“We have an urban renewal plan for East Pascagoula, and we really feel like this is probably the first step for that plan for great things to happen out there,” Willis said. “That area of town, which in the past has been a very strong commercial district, can come back to life and be revitalized and transformed into what it needs to be.” 

Lynd said the project represents an investment not only in public safety but in the city’s future. 

“I would hope the citizens would understand that we didn’t choose to take this money just to build this substation. The need was there,” Lynd said. “I mean, it’s bringing the Pascagoula Police Department and the city of Pascagoula into a new era where policing is going to be expanded across the city and more accessible.”