Wednesday, March 19, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
LESS THAN A YEAR ago, the SUN editorial board listened to the Justice Center Task Force tell of the need for a bond issue to meet the demands for a regional justice center, Clark County detention center and several juvenile facilities. The juvenile needs totaled $45 million, which was designated for a detention facility, Child Haven and Spring Mountain Youth Camp. The passage of Question 1 providing $120 million of bond money was a necessity. That sum, put together with $20 million of court fees and $50 million of government contributions, would do the jobs for $190 million.
The SUN supported the passage of Question 1 after much discussion. We were assured that it wouldn't result in a tax increase, and the facilities are badly needed. The arguments for the bond issue were persuasive, and the needs are easily identified.
So it passed, now what's the issue? Very simply, we now hear of plans to find other means to meet the juvenile facility needs. This is especially upsetting, because the inclusion of the juvenile and family service needs was of greatest importance. Last fall, during the campaign, we were told the problems were:
* Since 1984, the incidents of violent juvenile crime in Clark County have quadrupled.
* The Clark County Juvenile Detention Center currently has only 112 beds and houses 150 youthful offenders on a daily basis.
* Incidents of child abuse and neglect in Clark County have doubled in the last decade.
* Juvenile crime and child abuse and neglect are the fastest-growing areas in the court system.
And, if the bond issue was passed, the results would be:
* Question 1 will service the costs of a 250-bed addition to the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center.
* Funds raised through Question 1 will allow the expansion of the Spring Mountain Youth Camp, a medium-security correctional facility.
* Facilities for abused, neglected and abandoned children at Child Haven will be increased through Question 1.
We can easily understand the problems facing any group of people such as the Justice Center Task Force, trying to make ends meet when building in this area. Escalating costs and rapid growth are but two of the problems. Now, it appears that the planned $190 million is going to fall short of the target. Other plans must be made, and this is where there is going to be some sharp conflict with this writer and the SUN editorial board.
Just the rumors that the $45 million for youth facilities will be shifted over to the jail sends a chill up my back and stirs anger in my heart.
The idea that these vital services will now be delayed and new money will be sought from the Legislature isn't action acceptable to many of us. Sure it will be easier to get legislative funds for kids and families than it will for adult criminals, but this doesn't make it right.
At this point in time, I really don't care where or how they get the additional money, just make certain that the $45 million designated for juvenile and family services goes there and not to the regional justice center or the jail. The necessity to work at this age level is obvious and can't be allowed to worsen.
Let's get on with the work and take care of the most important needs first. Just the $45 million the voters designated to be spent on juvenile and family services should be put into action. If they need more dollars for the justice center and jail than was voted for by the public, then so be it. Don't take it away from meeting the needs of kids and families.
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