VSP open new area office in Christiansburg

The Virginia State Police hosted an open house Monday to dedicate its newest area office in the state.

Area 49 encompasses Floyd and Montgomery counties as well as Radford. The new office building is located on Cambria near the VDOT office. VDOT let VSP accompany some of the land next to its office.

The trailer for the was donated by local businessman David Hagan and Lowes and Home Depot helped furnish the new 3,900-sqaure-foot office at a reduced rate, according to VSP spokes person Corinne Geller.

Area 49 is positioned within the Department’s Salem Division and was carved out of Area 40, which originally served the counties of Craig, Floyd, Montgomery and Roanoke, and the cities of Roanoke and Salem and Radford.

During the 2017 Virginia General Assembly, funds were allocated to establish the new area supported by a first sergeant, two sergeants and 17 troopers.

“With the steady population growth across the New River Valley over the past few decades, the need for an additional state police area has been imperative,” said Capt. Richard A. Denney, Virginia State Police Salem Field Division Commander. “Area 49 enables us to better focus our resources and response to the traffic safety, patrol, crime prevention, and investigative needs of Floyd and Montgomery counties and the communities within.”

Geller said that VSP is still looking for property to house a permanent office, but has its eye on the former park and ride lot across from Falling Branch Elementary in Christiansburg.

“We have not secured the fund yet, but hope to do so when the next budget is passed in a few years,” she said.

The Salem Division is currently divided into seven area offices to serve 14 counties and eight cities from Highland County south to the North Carolina border.

In 2017, the Salem Division investigated 4,810 traffic crashes, issued 22,029 speeding summonses, arrested 421 drunk drivers, and assisted 15,932 disabled/stranded motorists.

— Sam Wall