A sheriff’s substation is officially coming to Montecito at the Rosewood Miramar Beach Hotel and is planned to open next month.

The Montecito Association began working on plans for a substation earlier this year after frustrations with reportedly slow response times from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

The association was looking to lease a space on San Ysidro Road before Miramar owner Rick Caruso offered to fund the office, including workspaces and designated parking.  

“This Sheriff’s Office is about being responsive, meeting the community where they are and making sure residents feel supported and safe,” said First District Santa Barbara County Supervisor Roy Lee in a statement. “The people of Montecito asked for this solution, and I’m glad we were able to deliver.” 

The station will be adjacent to Highway 101, similar to ones in Old Town Goleta, Camino Real Marketplace, and in the Oak Knolls Shopping Center in Orcutt, according to Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown.

“We are grateful for the Caruso organization and the Montecito Association for partnering with the Sheriff’s Office to make this new office a reality,” Brown said. “This facility is an example of a public-private partnership at its finest. Deputies will be able to meet residents in a more convenient location and remain in their coverage area while completing reports and other duties.”

The county Planning and Development Department issued a building permit for the substation on Wednesday, according to spokesperson Kelsey Gerckens Buttitta. 

Construction will only include interior work, according to a representative from Caruso. An exact completion date has not been finalized, but crews are aiming for the end of January.