Hudson Police to Open 24/7 Satellite Office at Middle School/Hudson Prairie

The Hudson Police Department will set up a satellite office at Hudson Middle School/Hudson Prairie Elementary School in early December, after unanimous approval by the Hudson School Board on Tuesday. 

Police Chief Marty Jensen told the board the move is a "win/win" for both the city and the school district: the schools gain a greater presence of law enforcement and officers gain a place to work in the hill/interstate area instead of needing to return to the department's downtown headquarters to write reports. 

Costs are minimal, the chief and school officials agreed, with the city covering the four officers assigned to the new satellite office, and the school district providing office space, a phone line, internet access and a parking spot. 

The existing police liaison officer program at Hudson High School won't be affected by the new satellite office. That officer will continue to respond to calls from the middle school and Hudson Prairie, although officers assigned to the satellite office could also respond in emergencies. 

Jensen said the plan is modeled on changes in Jordan, MN after last year's mass-shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT, although Hudson isn't going as far as Jordan's police substations in schools. 

See the video clip above (or at YouTube.com) for Jensen's presentation to the school board and the board discussion and vote on Tuesday. 

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