April 16, 2025 (Mashpee, Mass.) – The Mashpee Police Department will welcome the public for tours of the police station on Saturday, April 26 from 8 AM – 4 PM. The tours are intended to inform the public of the current state of the nearly 50-year-old facility ahead of a town vote to approve construction of a new station. If approved, the new station would be constructed directly behind the existing facility on Frank E. Hicks Drive.
Built in 1978, the current facility is quickly reaching the end of its useful life. While infrastructure deficiencies have contributed to poor air quality, mold, unsanitary plumbing issues, flooding and rodent infestation, the building is also not conducive to modern policing practices, nor can it accommodate many of the new technologies that have become standard tools in law enforcement.
“Mold, mildew, rodents, cell blocks that fail state inspection, sewage in locker rooms, lack of storage, the list of problems goes on and on,” said Mashpee Deputy Police Chief Thomas Rose. “Simply put, this station no longer meets the standards of today’s policing or the high expectations that our officers uphold. We encourage everyone in the community to tour the building and see the space first-hand.”
When the building was constructed, Mashpee had approximately 2,000 residents. Today, the town has a population of more than 15,000 residents, which increases to more than 37,000 during peak summer months. The number of calls for service has increased proportionally. In 2024, the department responded to nearly 40,000 calls.
The proposed new facility will cost approximately $37,150,000 and would be funded through a voter-approved debt exclusion. A debt exclusion, unlike a permanent override, would result in a temporary tax increase to pay the debt service for the construction project. A warrant article will be presented to voters at Mashpee Annual Town Meeting on May 3, and as a ballot question at the Town Election on May 10.
Residents are invited to drop by anytime between 8 AM and 4 PM on April 26th for tours. Children are welcome and will be given the opportunity to see inside police cruisers and meet with first responders. Residents who cannot attend the open house are invited to tour the station on another day by contacting pdinfo@mashpeema.gov.
For more information on the project, including renderings, financing and FAQs, visit https://www.mashpeema.gov/police/pages/proposed-new-police-station