Residents of Williams Apartments are glad to have a new Natchez Police Department substation in their community.

Longtime resident Hazel Green said she thinks the added police presence will make the Aldrich Street neighborhood safer. In the past few years, things have already started to improve, she said.

&uot;I’ve been here over 30 years, and I’m glad to see it here,&uot; Green said. &uot;There was a time when I felt we couldn’t stay here.&uot;

The community celebrated the grand opening with a ribbon cutting Saturday.

Natchez Police Chief Willie Huff spoke to the crowd of residents and encouraged children to say no to drugs.

&uot;We’re proud to be here,&uot;&160;Huff said. &uot;We’re out here because the young people and the people out here want to live in safe housing.&uot;

The substation is funded via a Drug Elimination Grant awarded to the Natchez Housing Authority.

&uot;We want you all to feel safe,&uot; Huff told the residents. &uot;We want you to feel comfortable coming in to this neighborhood.&uot;

Since 1994, the NHA has received more than $612,000 in funds through Drug Elimination Grants.

NHA uses the funding to provide police officers to patrol its Natchez housing projects and for drug prevention.

&uot;We use the funds strictly to combat drugs in public housing,&uot;&160;said Bridgett Pollard of NHA.

NHA selected Williams Apartments for the substation because there was an office building available at the complex and the area has a reputation for crime, Huff said.