Published: October 28, 2009 07:42 pm      

OCSO substation in Mauriceville opens

County officials hosted a grand opening Wednesday of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office substation and Precinct 2 Commissioner Owen Burton’s office.

After many months of planning and work on the structure, it is finally open for business. The latest addition of county offices is located at 11867 Highway 62 North.

Sheriff Keith Merritt began working on getting a substation in Mauriceville before he took office in January. However, in April the idea took a giant leap forward when Orange County Commissioners approved the purchase of the building.

“We are very pleased for this to happen,” Merritt said.

Merritt stated the sheriff’s office is there to serve the people and invited all to stop by and let them know how the deputies can be of assistance.

“This is a great plus for the city of Mauriceville,” said Carl Thibodeaux, Orange County Judge. “It’s an extra plus the Extension Office is here as well.”

The structure was originally the Mauriceville National Bank. It was moved to the location where it is now. Although the building survived two hurricanes, it needed work done to it.

“They basically gutted it and did a complete renovation,” Burton said.

The foundation was also worked on so it would be leveled out and made more solid.

Burton said his office is open most days during morning hours. However, on Mondays he goes to Commissioner’s Court meetings in the afternoon and tends to leave before noon. But, he prides himself on being available 24 hours a day for the people of his precinct.

Merritt said the substation will be manned 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In addition to investigators being at the sub-station, another option may be to have the office serve as a closer location for citizens to meet with a deputy instead of having to travel to Orange.

The sheriff’s office has not had an office in Mauriceville since Hurricane Rita hit in 2005 and the former sub station was destroyed.



Debby Schamber is a reporter for the Orange Leader. She can be reached at 409-883-3571 ext. 2609 or at dschamber@orangeleader.com.