Juvenile center

Over a two-year period culminating in early 2003, the Cape Girardeau County Commission heard from juvenile authorities and judges about a need for a new juvenile center, purchased land for a new center, authorized a $61,000 study that emphasized the necessity of a new center and ultimately concluded that a new center wasn't needed.

There the matter has rested until recently when the idea for a new juvenile center has resurfaced, this time reaching commissioners who appear willing to discuss the scope of such a project. Juvenile officials say the current center, which opened in 1974 on Merriwether Street in Cape Girardeau, lacks proper security and doesn't accommodate boys and girls at the same time, which means the county pays for housing young offenders in neighboring counties.

The consultant's report from 2003 said conditions then at the center presented "a lawsuit waiting to happen." There haven't been any lawsuits, but officials say it's time to take another look at improving the situation.

One thing missing from discussions seven years ago was a give-and-take meeting between commissioners and juvenile authorities. As talks resume, it seems such a meeting would be a prudent way of matching needs to available revenue sources.