LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Some local activists believe a vacant downtown detention center is one of the solutions to the ongoing youth violence in Metro Louisville.
The Jefferson County Youth Detention Center closed in 2019. An audit funded by state and city tax dollars by the Children’s Center for Law Policy found a lack of mental health resources, staffing shortages and high turnover made for dangerous conditions in the jail. But it was also about money.
"Budget cuts is what subsequently caused for this facility to be shutdown," says Anthony Gaines II, the CEO and editor of Colors Newspaper.
Gaines and members of activist organizations called out Mayor Greg Fischer and members of Metro Government on Wednesday for allowing the youth detention center to close. They say the youth detention center provided crucial rehabilitation services.
"Nobody wants to see kids locked up, like to your question, but I'm sure, if you talk to any of these parents -- these mothers, these fathers, sisters and brothers -- they would rather come and see their child in the detention center than rather see them at a funeral service," Gaines says.
African American Think Tank founder, Rev. Gerome Sutton, says JCYC was vital to families dealing with troubled youth.
"Mostly single black females that will admit to you -- 'I can't raise this boy he done lost his damn mind' -- but at least if this place was open, she could have sent that boy to this place,'" he said.
After closing the Youth Detention Center in December of 2019, the state re-purposed a day treatment center on La Grange Road to house detention services.
During a Louisville Metro Police podcast, "On the Record," in June, Homicide commander Lt. Donny Burbrink pointed to the spike in gun violence among young people.
"The biggest reason that we have an increase in shooters that are juveniles is the lack of consequences," said Burbrink. "There are no consequences for these juveniles in this city, and they know it."
He pointed to the closure of JCYC as one of the problems.
Related stories:
- LMPD chief's new podcast reveals new context on city's spike in homicides, youth violence
- Closing of the Jefferson Co. Youth Detention Center about more than money
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