Lewistown Police open doors to new borough-owned headquarters on Chestnut Street

BY BRIAN CARSON

LEWISTOWN — The Lewistown Police Department has officially opened its new headquarters at 70 Chestnut St., marking the department’s move from a rented space on South Brown Street to a borough-owned facility.

The lobby opened to the public on March 2, 2026, following a fast-tracked renovation designed to have the department operational before its previous lease expired. The office is open for walk-ins and administrative matters from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The borough purchased the former Mifflin County Water Authority building for $400,000. The cost will be paid in five annual installments of $80,000 to reduce the impact on the borough’s yearly budget.

Renovations were initially budgeted at $80,000 for what officials described as Phase One of the remodel. At the Feb. 9, 2026, council meeting, members voted 4-1 to increase that allocation to $100,000 to cover final occupancy costs.

By purchasing the building, the borough eliminates monthly rent payments previously made for the South Brown Street commercial space. The property had been tax-exempt under municipal ownership, a factor officials said supports long-term asset management.

The move provides the department with upgraded security features and additional operational space.

For the first time in years, the department now has a dedicated holding cell and a private interview room for investigations. The building also includes a high-security area for evidence processing and long-term storage.

Electronic door-access controls have been installed throughout the building, along with improved interior and exterior lighting and a comprehensive surveillance camera system.

The public lobby includes a permanent drug take-back box, allowing residents to dispose of expired or unused medications during business hours.

The renovation was managed by LPD Executive Officer Rich Leight, who was appointed by council to oversee the project.

Police officers and members of the Lewistown Borough Streets Department completed a significant portion of the work in-house to keep the project within the $100,000 renovation budget.

Officers and borough staff handled demolition and framing of new office walls. They hung drywall, applied over 25 gallons of paint, and ran network and surveillance cabling throughout the facility.

The work allowed the borough to stretch renovation dollars while preparing the building for daily operations under Phase One of the project.

Future improvements are planned as funding becomes available.

Phase Two and Phase Three goals include construction of permanent locker rooms with male and female accommodations, refinishing of the garage area for vehicle processing, and installation of a backup generator to ensure continuous power during emergencies. Officials also plan to finalize technical setups for the evidence storage and interview rooms.

The initial target date for occupancy was February 28, 2026, to coincide with the expiration of the department’s lease at the former location. The public opening followed two days later.

Residents seeking non-emergency help can contact the station at 717-248-6716. Non-emergency dispatch services remain available through Mifflin County Communications at 717-248-9607. The department’s general email is info@lewistownpolice.org.

Borough officials described the transition as a move toward greater financial independence and operational stability for the department. With the purchase complete and Phase One renovations finished, the department is now operating out of a permanent headquarters owned by the borough.