Editor, The Commercial:
The city of Pine Bluff Should not hesitate to seek a legal opinion from the Municipal League or direct the city attorney’s office to file a lawsuit if necessary regarding the state’s decision to place a halfway house in west Pine Bluff.
I find it disturbing that Mayor Carl A. Redus Jr. did not attend a public meeting held recently to meet with the Department of Correction officials on behalf of the citizens. His absence brings into question the transparency of this administration. The citizens of Pine Bluff have a right to know at what point did the mayor have knowledge regarding the decision of DOC. Did any conversations take place prior to the public meeting held recently? Further, the mayor has indicated in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette his unwillingness to file a lawsuit to protect the women and children on the west side of Pine Bluff. I strongly believe a legal opinion is needed to determine if the Department of Correction’s decision was correct or legal.
As a candidate for mayor of Pine Bluff, I am committed to the safety of the public and economic development. However, economics does not trump the safety of the public. Therefore, based on the outcry of residents in this area, I propose that the Department of Correction revise its decision and not allow violent and sexual offenders to reside in this facility and, instead, allow only nonviolent and nonsexual offenders to be placed in there.
This can be a starting point to reassure residents in the area that DOC is not trying to shove a plan down their throats and, more importantly, that DOC is genuinely concerned about the safety of residents on the west side of Pine Bluff.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Peter Daniels***
Pine Bluff
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