Tops partners with City of Niagara Falls on installation of police substation

Tops Friendly Markets has partnered with the City of Niagara Falls and the Niagara Falls Police Department on the recent installment of a new police substation.

The substation, which will be located at the Niagara Falls Tops store (1000 Portage Road), will allow law enforcement the opportunity to increase visibility in the community and enhance outreach.

A formal ribbon-cutting will take place at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, to commemorate the opening.

“Last year, we started discussions with Tops Markets management on how we could assist in enhancing the shopper experience at the Portage Road Tops,” Mayor Robert Restaino said. “We suggested the placement of a police substation on site and, after consideration, Tops agreed that it would be a great addition. We are happy to partner with Tops Markets on this project and look forward to our continued partnership.”

The substation, which is located inside the front of the store, will be fully functional next week for officers to use. Tops noted it will not be manned 24/7 and does not replace existing security efforts.

“Tops was proud to be able to support local law enforcement and the city in their efforts to provide their officers a location in which they can complete paper or computer work, recharge equipment, and engage with community members,” Tops Regional Vice President Jim Gibson said.

Tops noted, “These efforts, which would not have been possible without the directive of Superintendent of Police Nicholas Ligammari, are a welcome addition for the residents of the City of Niagara Falls.”

Ligammari said, "The benefit of having the Tops police substation is to increase police visibility and officer availability to the residents of Niagara Falls. It will provide a convenient location for our officers to complete daily tasks and engage with the community."

Based in Williamsville, Tops Markets currently operates 148 grocery stores in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont, including five that are run by franchisees. For more information, visit www.topsmarkets.com.

Tops Friendly Markets partnered with the City of Niagara Falls and the Niagara Falls Police Department to create a new police substation. (Tops photos)