GENTRY — Anyone stopping at the old Gentry Police Station on Main Street last week may have noted the absence of the police. That's because they've moved to their new headquarters, the former Centennial Bank building on Third Street (Arkansas Highway 12), just east of the Sonic drive-in.
The actual move took place on Friday, Feb. 26, and the department staff has been busy since then getting everything situated and put in its rightful place at the new police department home. Phone lines have since been connected and the computer network set up to allow officers to carry out their day-to-day duties at the new location.
The move increases office space for the department and provides a secure area for officers to work and for interviews to be conducted. Evidence and case-file storage is also greatly enhanced by the move, with two secure vaults already in the building. The drive-through area of the bank building provides a sheltered area to park patrol cars and is visible from the inside for added security.
The old police station was, in part, shared by the courts and lacked in security both for officers and for files and documents which the department is required to keep secure. Plans were to use the old space for the Benton County-West Court, providing much needed space for attorneys to visit with clients and other court business to be conducted on court days.