New Sheriff’s Substation Opens on North Coast
Davenport facility to enhance public safety as area sees increased tourism
DAVENPORT — Santa Cruz County Sheriff Chris Clark and Third District Supervisor Justin Cummings will host a community celebration Friday to mark the grand opening of the Davenport/North Coast Sheriff’s Substation, a facility designed to bolster public safety and community services along the county’s rural coastline.
The welcoming event will take place Friday, Feb. 13, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the new substation, located at 450 Highway 1 in downtown Davenport, across from the Davenport Roadhouse parking lot.
The substation represents a collaborative effort between multiple county agencies and comes at a pivotal time for the North Coast. The area has experienced a surge in visitors following the August 2025 opening of the Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument, a nearly 6,000-acre unit of the California Coastal National Monument that had been closed to the public since President Barack Obama designated it in 2017.
“This new service center represents an investment in both public safety and quality of life for the North Coast,” Cummings said in August when the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors approved the project. Cummings played a key role in bringing the project to fruition, coordinating with community groups and advocating for county funding.
The facility will house not only Sheriff’s Office deputies and volunteers but also provide workspace for Cummings’ office staff, County Parks personnel, and the Sempervirens Fund. The center will serve as a hub for public safety inquiries, crime reporting, and general community engagement.
“This new substation formalizes our commitment to serving the North Coast community,” Clark said. “By making sure residents and visitors alike have a direct connection to the Sheriff’s Office, we can respond quickly, engage directly, and ensure all have a great experience along the North Coast.”
The substation will be staffed part-time by a community policing deputy, along with trained volunteers who will maintain a more regular presence.
Sheriff’s officials cite car break-ins as a primary concern in the area, particularly targeting tourists who leave valuables visible in their vehicles while visiting beaches, parks, and the newly accessible national monument.
The timing of the substation’s opening coincides with several major infrastructure improvements in the region. The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission is completing the Coastal Rail Trail extension to Davenport, anticipated to finish by March 2026. State Parks has also repaved parking lots and installed new restrooms at Davenport and Panther beaches.
The building itself, previously occupied by the Bonny Doon Vineyard tasting room, reflects the community-oriented vision for the space. The center will feature rotating exhibits by local artists, beginning with work by Davenport photographer Ed Dickie.
County officials first announced plans for the substation in August 2025. Clark said the concept had been discussed informally within the department for years, but efforts accelerated after he took office in December 2024 and the Board of Supervisors approved additional funding.
The public is invited to attend Friday’s celebration and tour the new facility.
For more information, contact Sgt. Ryan Farotte, Administrative Sergeant, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, at (831) 454-7616.
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