Greeley – No one thinks a planned juvenile assessment center will immediately solve the city’s gang problem.
But proponents believe the facility one day will play a role in steering some of Greeley’s most troubled youths away from gang life.
“I talk to parents whose kids are already gang members, and they tell me they want something better for their kids,” said Jesse Quinby, a Greeley school board member. “And it’s up to us to provide them an alternative.”
Quinby is among a group of school officials, law enforcement personnel and city officials pushing to open a place where kids with problems can get help. The center would assess what each child needs – including drug and alcohol counseling or tutoring – and provide that assistance.
Proponents are hoping to enlist churches, social service agencies, school districts and private groups into the cause. They foresee the center treating 2,000 children a year on a budget of $319,000.
Most of the funding will come from grants and contributions from local law enforcement agencies and other organizations, say backers. Already, they have raised about $150,000, said Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck, who has pushed the center idea since he took office in November.
“We really can’t build any more jails as a county or state, so we have to concentrate on preventing crime,” he said. “And this (the center) is the avenue we have chosen to take.”
Staff writer Monte Whaley can be reached at 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com.
