BELTON, TX — Texas Rangers and State Troopers officially have a new home in Belton.
Sergeant Bryan Washko said State Troopers and Texas Rangers have been working together for years in Bell County, but they have been miles apart from each other.
"We were at two separate satellite locations. We had an office in Temple and one in Killeen," said Sgt. Washko.
With little work space, there was clearly a need for expansion.
On Thursday, Texas Department of Public Safety opened the Bell County Public Safety Center.
Now the Bell County Texas Rangers, State Troopers, Criminal Investigation Division (CID) agents and the Bell County Organized Task Force will all work under one roof.
"And having the ability now to do what we do under one roof as a team, it helps us promote our mission, which is to fight crime and promote public safety," said Sgt. Washko.
The 12,000-square-foot center will house 30 highway patrol troopers, including two lieutenants, five sergeants, a number of CID agents, Texas Rangers and administrative staff.
Officials say the old Temple location was about 6,000 to 8,000-square-feet, while the Killeen office was only 3,000-square-feet.
