The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office marked a milestone in expanding public safety services with a groundbreaking ceremony on Jan. 21 for the new Cheneyville Sheriff’s Substation on U.S. Highway 71 South.

The project is part of an ongoing effort by Sheriff Mark Wood’s administration, which since 2020 has partnered with volunteer fire departments in rural areas of the parish to improve access to law enforcement and emergency services. The Cheneyville substation follows the opening of the Hineston Substation on Louisiana Highway 121 and the Kolin Substation on Palmer Chapel Road in Pineville.

Planning for the Cheneyville location took several months and was made possible through funding provided by the State of Louisiana, with support from District 38 Representative Rhonda Butler and District 29 Senator W. Jay Luneau. The groundbreaking ceremony was held in conjunction with Rapides Parish Fire District 12, led by Chief Stanley.

The new substation is intended to serve the southern portion of the parish, improving response times and strengthening law enforcement coverage for the communities of Cheneyville and Lecompte. In addition to patrol operations, the substation will provide residents with more convenient access to investigative services.

Once operational, the Cheneyville substation will offer 24-hour coverage. Staffing will include a deputy communications officer, a patrol deputy, a resident deputy and a detective assigned to assist citizens with investigations, reducing the need for residents to travel to Alexandria for services.

Local and parish officials attended the ceremony, including mayors from Cheneyville, Lecompte and Woodworth, along with members of the Rapides Parish Police Jury. Sheriff Wood said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment among local leaders to enhance public safety and provide residents with reliable and accessible law enforcement services.

The Cheneyville substation represents the latest step in a broader strategy to expand community-based public safety infrastructure across Rapides Parish.