Police, dispatch operations return to Hawkins Public Safety Facility

After 27 days of maintaining public safety and conducting crime investigations at an alternative location away from its home base of operations, the Fort Scott Police Department on Wednesday moved back to its official headquarters.

The return from its temporary operations center on the third floor of City Hall was completed around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Now, the police department and dispatch services have rejoined the fire department, which moved back Dec.14 from its temporary digs at the National Guard Armory, to resume operations at the Hawkins Public Safety Building, 1604 S. National Ave.

Police and fire department employees evacuated the facility on Dec. 1 after city officials and engineers determined that the building was structurally unsafe due to weather conditions. A snow storm that dumped as much as 13 inches of snow in Bourbon County piled tons of the white stuff on the roof of the Hawkins building, damaging the ceiling and the frame of the structure.

Engineers told officials that the buildup of ice prior to the snow added tremendous weight to the roof that, in their estimation, caused the buckling of the ceiling.

An engineer with Professional Engineering Consultants conducted an assessment of the building damage, but city officials have not yet received the final report. That report might clear up lingering questions as to whether the building sustained permanent damage and whether steps need to be taken to prevent further damage if another snow storm hits Fort Scott.

Police could have moved back before Wednesday, but they were waiting for a technician to assist them in setting up detailed computer equipment.

Although some police officials didn't mind operating out of the less-than-appealing third floor of City Hall, they're happy they're home.

"You never really know how much you miss this place (Hawkins) until you're gone," said Police Department Communications Supervisor Crystal Roberts in an e-mail.