Juvenile Justice Center
On Dec. 22, 1998, the League of Women Voters of Ventura County addressed the Board of Supervisors and expressed its strong support for the proposed juvenile justice center.
A year later, due to the financial crisis facing the county, suggestions are being made that would endanger the scope of this center, and the League is very concerned.
In 1997, overcrowding forced the release of more than 1,300 gang members and serious juvenile offenders back into the community when they more appropriately should have been either locked up or enrolled in an alcohol or drug rehabilitation program.
Public safety, the safety of inmates and of staff mandate replacement of the antiquated, overcrowded, unsafe facilities as approved and accepted by the state in the granting of $40.5 million in public safety funds toward construction of the juvenile justice center.
Sheriff Bob Brooks has been quoted in the press as being willing to designate some of the future increase in Proposition 172 public safety funds toward the operating budget of the juvenile justice center. This should be pursued in the interest of public safety.
The League urges concerned citizens to contact their county supervisor in support of the construction of the proposed juvenile justice facility in compliance with the state approval of this project.
SUE KELLEY
and MARIE OFFERMAN
League of Women Voters of Ventura County
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