Juvenile center holding open house Sunday

Southeast Missourian

The Cape Girardeau County Juvenile Detention Center will hold an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the center at 325 Merriwether St.

The open house is to show interested people how the center operates, said juvenile officer Randy Rhodes. Because of laws to protect the rights of juveniles, the center had previously been off-limits to the public, but recent laws have loosened restrictions on that, Rhodes said.

"We run 400 kids a year through a place like this that most people don't get to see," Rhodes said.

Anyone interested may drop by Sunday afternoon to meet with the staff and tour the premises.

Rhodes said the open house is not meant to reopen discussion on the need for a new facility, but if it turns out that way he won't object. Four years ago, the Cape Girardeau County Commission spent about $250,000 for property on South Kingshighway, an architect's plans and engineering documents. The commission then shelved the project.

"It's been stalled ever since," Rhodes said.

Rhodes said a consultant, the county's insurance company and inspectors advised the commission that the juvenile detention center needed to be larger and safer. Now, the center can only house boys; girls are sent to the detention center in Mississippi County because of lack of space.

Rhodes said he hopes that in an election year officials might take more of an interest in the detention center than they have before.

"After an election, we never see them," he said. "This is a good time for public officials to come through it."

Sunday's open house, however, is to let the public tour the facility and ask questions. Staff members will be on hand to answer them.