Worried that the police substation on St. Paul's West Side had gaps in staffing each day, neighbors and police came up with a novel solution: They recruited students from nearby Humboldt High School to volunteer in the office after school, answering phone calls and providing information.

They looked for students in the school's Junior ROTC program or those planning a law enforcement career.

Those responsible got a plaque Wednesday at the St. Paul City Council meeting for coming up with the innovative solution.

Honored were block club members Martha Varela and Carol Neumann, Assistant Police Chief Tomas Smith, Humboldt Principal Mike Sodomka, substation volunteer Samantha Mancheski, and Armando Comacho, executive director of Neighborhood House, which houses the substation.