PUT CENTERS HERE

Plans to build a couple of detention centers for juveniles in Southeast Missouri have created quite a stir. Communities throughout the region have made generous offers to the state in an effort to lure one of the centers and the accompanying jobs. Cape Girardeau and Cape Girardeau County have been among those offering sites for the centers.

Results have been mixed. In most towns, there have been displays of unity among civic leaders, organizations and residents in support of attracting a detention center. In Cape Girardeau, however, two of the three sites that were proposed have been pretty much eliminated. One proposed site was at Klaus Park between Cape Girardeau and Jackson. Nearby residents made it clear they didn't want young criminals as neighbors. Another proposed site was at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport. The airport's advisory board unanimously opposed that idea, because a juvenile center doesn't exactly fit with the overall aviation development potential for the airport.

This give and take are part of the process that will result eventually in the selection of sites for the two centers. Regardless of the efforts so far, one thing is clear: at least one of the new detention centers belongs in Cape Girardeau, and a good case could be made for putting both of them here.

First, this county is the most populous county in Southeast Missouri, and its juvenile system places a large number of young offenders in centers very much like the ones being proposed. It makes sense to put the centers close to where the greatest need.

Second, the criminal justice program at Southeast Missouri State University already has demonstrated its positive role in generating and participating in juvenile programs that have a good track record. Plans are to have the university involved in the new centers. It wouldn't make much sense to locate the centers away from the resources and complementary facilities of the university.

Third, there are plenty of other sites in Cape Girardeau that would be suitable for housing juveniles who are in trouble with the law. One site on South Sprigg Street already has been proposed with little or no opposition. There are other sites that haven't even been mentioned publicly. Given the fact that other juvenile facilities already exist in the community without creating public-safety problems, it appears Cape Girardeau has already demonstrated it is a suitable host for such centers.

Now is not the time to give up on convincing state officials to put one or both of the centers in Cape Girardeau. Just because two of the sites suggested so far haven't passed muster is no reason to look elsewhere.

Putting the centers in Cape Girardeau would serve well the needs of youngsters who require help. It would give them access to resources only a larger community can provide.

Those who think providing these services and adding to the area's job base are important need to find ways to help the ongoing effort to convince state officials to put the centers here.