LSAC Opposes Probation Office

(posted 3.09.09)

A probation office planned for the Lafayette Square Area has now become a hot spot of neighborhood concerns. The issue caused the City County Administration and Finance Committee to delay the vote to approve the lease until March 24 to give city officials more time to address neighborhood concerns.

The lease approval also includes a traffic and juvenile court at 3733 Commercial Drive. A lockup room will also be housed in the office space.

City County Councilor Maggie Lewis explained that the Pike Township Residents Association and Lafayette Square Area Coalition have not received formal presentations from Glenn Lawrence, the court administrator, about the exact details, so residents can know what to expect.

Lewis, who represents the area, said the area is trying to move toward a district with an international feel and a probation office would not complement the plan.

"We have a lot of issues over there," she said, noting the coalition is trying to change the perception. She felt that a probation office would be a set back to the revitalization efforts and perception image of crime. "What does that say about our area?" Lewis asked.

At the Feb. 26 LSAC meeting, President Mary Clark embraced the idea of traffic court coming to the area. She did not view traffic offenders as criminals, but hoped that they will spend money in the area.

The thought of a probation office has now cast its own negative image in the minds of the coalition members. Clark, speaking for the coalition members, contends a probation office would only confirm the perception that it is not safe to shop in the area. She explained that bringing a probation system to the area means "that we are accepting that the media is saying that the crime is bad in the area." She thinks a probation office will become a "spot light" for crime. "We don't want that there."

Lawrence said the probation office is needed because of the increase of clients in that area.

Councilor Ryan Vaughn was not comfortable in voting since Lewis had concerns. He said that a probation office would assist those in need of service on the west side instead of making them travel across town. He said the inefficiencies of location can set probationers up for failure by missing appointments. The current office is located at 10th and Post Road.

Vaughn talked about jail over crowding. He was concerned that sending probationers back to jail over unintentional late or missed appointments only compounds the overcrowding situation and does not help the probationer who is trying to stay on the right course.

Councilor Jackie Nytes said it important for the city to maintain the facility in the area and maintain the bar that the LSAC has set to accomplish its revitalization goals. She requested some type of documentation to show the citizens that the area is in need of probation service. She does not believe a probation office will prevent the coalition from accomplishing its goals as long as the facility is operated at a level of quality that meets the coalition's standards.

Councilor Marilyn Pfisterer said she would go to public hearings to explain the probation office and assist with educating the public. "There are impacts in the neighborhood we all have to be accountable for."

Lawrence explained the relocation costs and some requirements for upfront funds. $500,000 will be contributed toward the "$988,000 build out", plus $210,000 for one year's advanced rent. The upfront payments are necessary because the developer is not comfortable with the city's "non appropriation clause" in the lease. Rent is expected to be $10.01 square foot for the 26,254 square foot site. Lawrence thinks he can lower the cost by curtailing certain areas in housekeeping. The office space is needed to accommodate the growing traffic court case load. The daily projections are between 900 to 1,000 people going through the system.