Pictured: one of the features preserved during the Altadena sheriff's station $1.3 million renovation was the classic neon sign.
by Timothy Rutt
After over a year of renovations causing inconvenience and disruption for both deputies and the public, Altadena Sheriff's Station 7 will soon be ready for its close-up.
The 1940's vintage building had a $1.3 million facelift that will not only give the deputies a better place to work, but will better serve the public with its large, open lobby and a public restroom.
Deputy Mary DeBella gave us a first look at some of the changes last week, even though there are still some rough spots (some rear windows are covered by cardboard). The public will get a chance to see it during the grand opening ceremony and tours on Sat., Sept. 24, starting at 10 AM.
Pictured: the 2011 exterior, and the building shortly after its 1949 opening. The vestibule was eliminated in the renovations in order to enlarge the lobby. Photo: Timothy Rutt/Altadenablog
The changes start with the front lobby, which has stone tile flooring and a public restroom. The floor includes a mosaic of a Los Angeles County sheriff's badge encicled by a border that says "Altadena Sheriff's Station." Such a mosaic is a first in the county, DeBella said.
More after the jump.
The badge number on the floor mosaic, 510, belonged to David Stout Larimer, the first deputy sheriff killed in the line of duty at Altadena Station. Larimer was struck and killed by a drunk driver on Christmas Eve, 1941. Larimer lived on East Palm St. and is buried at Mountain View Cemetery.
Just beyond the one-way glass behind the front desk is the dispatcher. Law enforcement technician Angela Tetreault sends the cars where they need to go.
There's also a station for the watch officer -- here, Deputy Mark Mrakich fields communications.
One of the refurbished interrogation rooms.
Deputy DeBella shows the station's original jail cell. The cost of bringing it up to current standards would be prohibitive, so it's now used for storage. Prisoners from Altadena are taken to the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station.
The room where the deputies fill out their reports and other paperwork. The cardboard on the windows will be replaced by glass soon, they say.
The newly-refurbished detective's office.
The onsite trailer that houses the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team also received some improvements. Here is the rack of uniforms and equipment that get a workout pretty much every weekend.
A bank of radios charging, waiting for the next errant hiker.
The 2011 version of Altadena Sheriff Station 7.
Note: Sgt. John Stanley of Altadena Sheriff Station -- who is the resident historian there -- said that the building opened in 1949, and we have corrected that from a previous version.
