Panel Delays Vote on Teen Detention Center

A decision on a proposal to expand a youth detention facility near Trabuco Canyon was postponed Wednesday after dozens of canyon residents criticized the county Probation Department’s plan and raised questions about escapee figures higher than earlier reported.

Instead, the county Planning Commission postponed its decision until next Wednesday.

Residents complained about the amount of heavy construction traffic to build the proposed Rancho Potrero Leadership Academy, which they said would pose dangers for hikers, horse riders and children who play along narrow Rose Canyon Drive.

Though the county has proposed sending trucks and other heavy machinery up a secondary route that skirts the canyon community, approvals for rights of way, its construction and funding are not yet certain.

“They’re trying to cram this down our throats because the county needs to hurry up and spend the money to meet a deadline or they lose that money,” said Shelly Black, a canyon resident. “The truth of the matter is, we don’t want this. Period.”

Academy Intended to Build Character

Even Black’s 7-year-old daughter, Callie, testified that she enjoys attending a local canyon school, but with the big trucks, “Ill be afraid to walk home.”

Probation officials, who operate the 64-bed Joplin Youth Center on the 388-acre site, say the $14-million academy expansion is needed to accommodate an expected 33% surge in the county’s teen population over the next decade. The camp is intended to build character in nonviolent offenders by removing them from the influence of gangs and putting them in a wilderness area, 1,800 feet above sea level.

Although an environmental impact report was submitted, residents said it didn’t adequately address traffic noise and how traffic would affect nearby roads such as Live Oak Canyon Road.

The proposed academy would consist of eight single-story buildings surrounding a courtyard. It would house 30 girls and 60 boys, ages 14 to 17. Rancho Potrero would be built a short distance from Joplin Youth Center.

During the planning hearing, it was evident that commissioners also questioned the rush to approve the camp’s construction when many questions about its planning remained.

“I’ve heard that if we don’t have occupancy by a certain date, we may lose funding? Is that right?” Commissioner Ben Nielsen asked.

The question stumped Thomas G. Wright, the county’s chief deputy probation officer, who answered, “I don’t know.”

Under terms of a state Board of Corrections grant approved two years ago, the county received $8.4 million to build the academy. But to satisfy the grant’s requirements, the Probation Department must begin construction by December.

Some residents, including Allison Dale, expressed concern about youths who have escaped from Joplin and whether Probation officials have been honest with reporting “walk-offs.”

Initially, officials said there were only 18 walk-offs since 1995. But that figure was raised to 30 in recent reports, including 11 last year.

“And, that’s with 60 beds at Joplin. I can imagine the number of walk-offs you’re going to have with as many as 90 [new] beds,” Dale said.

Dale said an alleged escapee attempted last summer to start a fire in the canyon to harm a rival gang member. Another resident said a Joplin youth pounded on her door trying to get inside while she was home alone.

However, Probation officials could not confirm that Joplin runaways were the suspects in either incident because they were not reported to the camp.

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Expansion Opposed

The county wants to expand a youth detention facility in Trabuco Canyon, but neighbors are trying to get the project killed.

Source: Orange County