LETTERS: HALFWAY HOUSE TREATENS NEIGHBORS

To the editor:

In reading recent articles in the Southeast Missourian and in talking to concerned individuals, it has become increasingly evident that a halfway house for prisoners 30 to 90 days from parole to be housed at the Gibson Center should not be.

A halfway house is supposed to be a facility for the rehabilitation of persons who are prisoners in a controlled environment with supervision, treatment and counseling. The Gibson Center offers only supervision. There would be no guarantee on what type of prisoners would be housed there nor the extent of their past crimes. Would I, as a parent and an educator, feel safe with persons convicted of deviant sexual behavior around my children? Keep in mind the Gibson Center is located at 1112 Linden St. Surrounding this center are Parkview State School for the Severely Handicapped, Head Start Program, elderly housing and the Cape Girardeau Health Center.

The question was put forth to Sharon Derrington of the Missouri Department of Probation and Parole about the security of the center and occurrences that would warrant community concern. Ms. Derrington stated she had never had a problem with any of the clients leaving the center and committing community crimes. Strangely enough, the Cape Girardeau Police Department has printouts containing over 50 calls from the center to them with reports of burglary, runaways and intoxication within the last two years. This is before the request for prisoner housing. Never a problem? I think not.

We are told by the staff of Gibson that there would be no armed guards or force to be used to keep clients in. Confusion arises over this point. A person is in prison because our judicial system has tried and convicted him. He is then housed in a prison where he is supervised by armed guards and locks. Now he suddenly needs no security? What has happened? In other words, convicts are no longer convicts. They have gained their freedom, and now our handicapped youths, our preschoolers and our elderly citizens have become the prisoners.

It is not that we feel there is not a need for this type of community service, but we must consider the major issue of location. Surely somewhere in this growing city there is a more logical place for this type of rehabilitation to exist. A new prison has been approved for Charleston. Wouldn't this be a better solution to the problem and make our citizens feel better about sleeping at night?

Speaking as parents, educators and very concerned citizens, we must stop this halfway house from locating at the Gibson Center. The people living in this area want to be able to be outside with their children without the fear of harassment or, God forbid, possible danger. They want to feel secure that their property will not be destroyed. Most of all, parents want to and have a right to know their children are safe at school.

We urge you to sign those petitions that will prevent the halfway house from becoming a reality. Come to the City Council meeting tonight and voice your opinion. A final decision will be made.

Help us protect those of our society who can't help themselves. We are advocates of the handicapped, elderly and small children. Please don't let them become the victims.

CANDY BRIDSONG

LARRY BEUSSINK

PATTI BEUSSINK

Cape Girardeau