The ceremonial police tape has been cut and the Wareham Police Department's new Onset Village Substation is now open.

"I'm looking forward to working with the Onset community," said Police Chief Richard Stanley at the substation's grand opening on Friday. The police are working to "make sure that we give you the quality service that you deserve," he told the residents, police department volunteers, and town officials gathered at the station.

Located at 240 Onset Ave., the substation will be staffed by volunteers and serve as an information center and a home base for bicycle and foot-patrol officers, giving the Wareham Police a greater presence in Onset during the summer months, Stanley explained.

It was a seed of an idea that came to fruition very quickly.

The building, which is owned by the Onset Fire District, sat vacant for approximately six years. Over the past week or so, the building has been cleaned up, wired with technology, and stocked with information about everything from upcoming events to shellfish regulations.

"This would not have been made possible without the Onset Prudential Committee," Stanley said. "I can't thank them enough."

Stanley explained that the substation was a "dream" of several people at the police department, especially Officer -- and Onset resident -- Karl Baptiste.

Baptiste, who serves as the department's School Resource Officer, could not attend the ceremony because he had another engagement -- Wareham High School's prom.

"Karl Baptiste is all over this building," said Stanley, stressing that Baptiste -- and many others -- worked hard to get the building ready to go in time for Memorial Day weekend.

Home Depot donated materials for a new front counter; Best Buy donated lobby chairs, office supplies, and a desk; Lowes donated new flooring; E.N.G. Lending donated a desk and chairs; Nessralla's donated mulch, and Olson's Garden Center donated flowers.

Carpenter Kelvin Andrews built the front counter and installed the lobby floor. Municipal Maintenance Director Mark Gifford and employees Glen Barrows and Frank Bergamasco worked diligently to get the building ready, Stanley said.

And, in approximately 48 hours, Information Technology Director Matt Underhill got the place wired for the internet and installed a 911 call box outside the building for passersby to use in the event of an emergency if the building is not open.

The substation, Stanley said, was also a vision of Lieutenant Kevin Walsh, who is "a product of Onset."

"I'm especially proud of this building," said Walsh, noting that "when you grew up in Onset" the village stays with you. "It's part of me," he said.

How is the police department paying to operate the building? Stanley was succinct.

"We're using those funds as seized [from] our local drug dealers," he said. He joked: "I almost thought of putting a sticker out there, 'Brought to you by your local drug dealers.'"

Board of Selectmen Chair Steve Holmes, also an Onset resident, applauded the work of all parties involved, noting that the project was funded creatively.

"We need to begin working with public and private partnerships ... to get us through these [budget] issues," he said, adding: "This police substation is going to make families feel comfortable coming to Onset. ... This is a great gift to the village of Onset."

Acknowledging that the Wareham Police Department has had a busy couple of weeks -- from a drowning to violence to taking drug dealers off of the streets -- Stanley explained that resolving the town's problems is a community effort.

"This is a work in progress. This job cannot be done by police alone," he said, later adding that the substation will "create the partnerships we all need."

Officials noted that the substation was an important step in fostering community relationships.

"This is a very positive thing for the district," said Onset Fire District Prudential Committee member Marcine Fernandes. The building "is being utilized for a positive thing in the community."

Walsh explained that the "key words" he wanted on the windows were "information and welcome center," adding that those words are "just as important as the police patch."

Onset Bay Association President Eleanor Martin, who attended the ceremony, echoed Fernandes' sentiment.

"This is just such a welcomed thing," Martin said. "It's just going to help make the whole area more welcoming."

Stanley said he hopes to work at the substation at least one day per week.

Lt. Walsh said that, after getting enough volunteers, the department is hoping to keep the building open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.