SAFETY
City officials decline to comment, citing the potentially criminal nature of what they’ve called “new” allegations…. styleweekly.com
….The city said some of the bike symbols are too close to the curb, in the door zone. That means, if someone rides through on a bike, a car door could easily open and hit that person…. nbc12.com
….But Annette Hunt, 58, insists she never was informed that her 15-year-old granddaughter was being sent to a facility in Charlottesville….”I have not gotten a word from nobody. Not a soul,” said Hunt, who said she is the girl’s legal guardian…. timesdispatch.com
Charles J. Kehoe resigned Friday as director of the Richmond Department of Justice Services hours before the city closed its detention center in Shockoe Bottom because of new, unspecified allegations of improper conduct there….[James M. Nachman, president of the Greater Richmond Juvenile Bar Association,] likened the shutdown to the city suspending operation of its public utility system…. timesdispatch.com
…In an interview before Thursday’s City Council budget meeting, Marshall said new allegations convinced officials that they had to “close the thing down and start over.”….”We looked more closely and found some things that we found troubling. Some criminal allegations and some violations of our policies,” Marshall said…. timesdispatch.com
…City officials have said in recent months said that most of the problems have been fixed and the rest were being addressed….there are some management and operational issues and some work culture issues that we have not been able to fix….just extra personnel costs such as severance will cost the city an estimated $800,000 or more… wtvr.com
City Closes Richmond Juvenile Detention Center
Richmond, VA – Mayor Dwight C. Jones announced today that the city of Richmond will close the Richmond Juvenile Detention Center and place most operational staff on administrative leave until further notice. Richmond city youth requiring juvenile detention will be housed at neighboring facilities throughout the surrounding area.
The decision follows a series of mounting concerns related to staff and management shortcomings and allegations of criminal behavior. “After our last visit to the State Board of Juvenile Justice, I indicated that additional changes in management and operations would be forthcoming,” said Mayor Jones. “My determination at this time is that it would be in the best interest of the future operation of the Juvenile Detention Center if we voluntarily relinquish the license for at least one year while we work to reestablish the facility.”
The city of Richmond is expected to relinquish its license by close of business Friday, April 27, 2012. The relocation of residents began today. Parents and guardians have been notified of the status of the facility and relocation of the juveniles. Employees have been given notice and normal human resources procedures are being employed.
“Relinquishing our license is an extraordinary measure, but one, in my estimation, that is the best approach for us to take at this time,” the Mayor said. “I feel strongly that if we had not taken this action, the State almost certainly would be looking at decertification of this facility. This is not an action that I take lightly or without grave deliberation. This is an action I’m taking to move us in the direction of having a facility that is properly run and well-managed.”
Richmond City Council was notified of the closure decision today during a previously scheduled budget work session.
“My primary focus has always been on what is in the best interest of the children,” Mayor Jones said. “My confidence in the management and operations of this facility has diminished to the point that I have no choice but to take this action.”
…This parking problem on the corner of Semmes Avenue across from Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts has existed for many years… richmond.com
..Samuels said the request to tighten the language came from Richmond police and the commonwealth’s attorney’s office… timesdispatch.com
A city administration spokesman told the Public Safety Committee that the ordinance was not needed:
cityhallreview.com at 1:08.
Richmond’s city administration is reviewing nearly $1 million spent in the past three years for repairs to the city’s troubled juvenile detention center…Committee also delayed action on a measure that would give council members more authority over contracts and change orders…”very strong opposition” to the proposal from businesses…council members have no idea how much money is being spent on change orders… timesdispatch.com