Occasionally something happens in a city that is not only a change for the city, but also for the region and nation. Lakewood is facing that kind of dilemma now.
On Dec. 30, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) notified Lakewood that the Denver Federal Center was chosen as a site to house several thousand unaccompanied 14- to 17-year-old juveniles from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. We were told this will be the largest site of its kind, and Lakewood officials were given one day’s notice. A conference call was scheduled for the next day.
Many obvious questions were asked by the City of Lakewood, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s office and the Jefferson County commissioners. HHS officials were evasive and their answers were non-specific.
In many cases, we were directed to vague websites with little information about the real agenda.
Generally we were told that Homeland Security was the appropriate agency to answer questions related to security. And Homeland Security was noticeably absent from the conference call.
Six weeks later, we still have no answers.
Early on, I asked twice to tour the makeshift warehouse that was chosen to house the juveniles. I’m still waiting for an answer.
Now I have more questions: Was a feasibility study ever done to determine if this site was appropriate for such a large group of juveniles?
Will the facility really open in mid-April?
Since these kids do not have passports, how do we really know their names, ages and countries of origin?
Should we prepare for gangs and human trafficking? How is this increase in juveniles crossing the border being addressed?
More than 17,000 crossed our southern border in the last quarter of 2015 — why? Who is guarding our border?
After talking with a New Mexico mayor and a county commissioner in Texas, I have learned that lack of communication is a problem everywhere. Lakewood isn’t the only place to experience a stone wall from the feds.
Homeland Security should be on our side, protecting our country, and serving our best interests. Real communication would make a real difference.
I will continue to ask questions.
Ramey Johnson is a member of the Lakewood City Council.
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