Monitoring in Detention Center discussed by commission

By MIKE MCCOY

Statesman Staff Writer

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- The Stoddard County Commission heard a request from Juvenile Officer Mike Davis to install additional cameras in the Juvenile Detention Center. Davis appeared before the commission at their regular meeting Monday.

Davis said the monitors in the viewing station were completely full, so no new cameras could be added. He proposed that cameras in the upstairs level of the Justice Center be moved downstairs for use in the Detention Center. He said the commission could look at buying new wireless cameras with a new monitoring station for the upstairs part of the building, which would be easier to install and probably less expensive.

Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis if the cameras in the courtrooms upstairs were in use.

"They were never activated," Davis replied.

Mathis then asked Davis how many more cameras were needed in the Juvenile Center, which is located in the basement of the Justice Center. Davis said two more cameras were needed.

"That camera system was outdated when it was put in," commented Mathis.

Mathis suggested that Davis check into what a new wireless system would cost, and present it to the commission.

Davis said his concern was that the concrete walls in the basement would interfere with wireless cameras.

Mathis asked David to get some options to present to the commission, including the cost of a new camera system or expanding the old one. Davis thanked the commission and said he would return with some cost estimates.

Davis also told the commission that closing the Cottonwood Residential Treatment Center in Cape Girardeau would be detrimental to the county, and could pose problems for the Detention Center. Davis said many juveniles are now referred to Cottonwood.

Cottonwood serves children between the ages of 6 and 17 with serious psychiatric disorders. It offers intensive care at an early age. It is a 32-bed treatment center with about 95 full- and part-time employees that perform a number of duties, from therapy to education. The children in the facility receive their education in the center, are given vouchers to buy clothes, go through counseling with their families, and -- if counselors and staff believe they're ready -- can be transported home from the facility every other weekend.

It was announced last week that Cottonwood would close by early next year after Gov. Jay Nixon announced his decision to freeze or veto more than $1.1 billion of the state's general revenue. Nearly $500,000 for Cottonwood was restricted as part of his actions, and the facility is no longer accepting new patients.

Davis said the facility was "family friendly" and was used regularly for referral by juvenile services in Stoddard County.

"They treat kids from families that can't afford a residential hospital setting," said Davis.

He said the closing of Cottonwood could increase the numbers in the County Juvenile Detention Center, which would mean more mental health professionals would have to be brought into the county center.

Commissioner Danny Talkington asked Davis, "Are most referrals for mental health or drug issues?"

"Yes and yes," replied Davis. He said many are referred to Cottonwood for both problems.

Davis said he signed a petition to keep Cottonwood open. Mathis asked if it would be helpful for the commission to sign a petition, as well.

"Cottonwood needs to stay," said Davis.

In other business, the commission voted 3-0 to appoint Robert Slavings to the Stoddard County Public Sewer District #1 Board of Directors. Slavings is currently serving on the board after being appointed to fill out the term of Richard Ash who resigned. Mathis said Slavings agreed to continue on the, and other board members were supportive of the appointment.

Talkington said he approached a resident about serving on the Johnson Grass Board, but the individual declined. He said he would continue to look for someone to fill that position.

Commissioner Carol Jarrell asked if it needed to be someone who farms. Talkington said it did not have to be a farmer, but they are most affected by Johnson Grass.

State Statute regarding Johnson Grass control reads, "The county commission, township board and special road district of any county declared a Johnson grass extermination area, in addition to any and all taxing powers which it may possess shall be authorized to levy upon all property subject to its authority a tax in an amount not to exceed five cents on each one hundred dollars assessed valuation, for the purpose of paying the expenses of the county weed control board or the agent of the board in making the inspection required under the provisions of section 263.259, and for the expense of controlling and eradicating Johnson grass on county roads and rights-of-way, provided that not more than twenty-five percent of the taxes so levied and collected shall be used for administrative purposes. The cost of control and eradication of Johnson grass on all lands and highways owned or supervised by the state transportation department shall be paid by the transportation department out of funds appropriated for its use."