Springfield Commission Hears Public on New Jail Location

BY JEFF SKINNER 

SPRINGFIELD - The Springfield commission met Tuesday evening to hear arguments pertaining to the zoning of the proposed new jail project, targeted for construction on the 2600 block of South Limestone Street, south of Springfield near Interstate 70. The halls of the people were packed with residents voicing their opposition to the zoning due to safety and general community concerns.

During the presentation from the Sheriff’s department, Christopher Clark was present to argue for the benefits of the location, namely the inability with the new construction for individuals to smuggle contraband into the facility through greater standoff distances and ease of access for rapid transportation. 

The city commission spent a greater amount of time attempting to argue the general benefits of having the jail, namely, they argue, the city would be able to begin holding criminals accountable for lower level crimes.

“Just the two nights ago we had an individual at speedway in Enon, he had been trespassed and charged for trespassing and the jail couldn't take him again,” Clark said. “When there is no accountability for these lower end crimes there is nothing stopping these individuals from recommitting. Just theft alone. I did an evaluation at the end of the year and a lot of it has to do with there are very little consequences that can be done. Repeat offenders don’t care about probation.”

Clark also stated that repeat offenders are coming from surrounding areas to commit lower level crimes in Springfield because they know they will not be held accountable. It is certainly accurate that the city, both law enforcement and the courts, have habitually failed to prosecute lower level crimes, though this has been most noticed in the Haitian community. Regular docket reports from the municipal court have indicated hundreds, if not more, potential misdemeanor violations are regularly dismissed by prosecutors and judges with little to no documentation as to the reason and while citizens were initially recording incidents of law enforcement in dereliction of their duty, The city, with assistance from the State, moved to encrypt their communications to prevent public observation of their actions. 

Residents who opposed the zoning measure spoke out stating multiple reasons for the location selected including things like safety concerns with the jail being located very close to residential areas and a school, making it a safety concern for families. Another resident mentioned concerns over legal and ethical actions on the part of the Sheriff’s department and the County Commissioners.

“Regarding legal and ethical concerns both Sheriff Clark and Mr. Rittenhouse have connections with the land owner, Mr. Armstrong, While I'm not accusing anyone of wrong doing, these relationships create a clear conflict of interest,” the resident said. 

There was indeed much controversy surrounding the purchase of the property. Allan Armstrong, who owns the property, had previously received an auditor appraisal of the property which listed the total valuation of the property as $228,530, while the county purchase price negotiated by the Sheriff and county commissioner Sasha Rittenhouse offered over $1 million for the sale. Many referred to the deal as a ‘good ole boy’ deal, while Sheriff Clark has supported the decision stating it was the best location for sale by a willing owner. 

Many residents felt like the suggested location was a rug pull as the area was initially proposed to be a Kroeger supermarket and is zoned for commercial use, which many residents felt was a safer bet to purchase a family home nearby, rather than a jail where inmates and criminals may be coming and going. 

The Springfield Commission voted to postpone voting on the rezoning of the proposed location until the April 7 meeting of the commission, allowing the public more time to make public comment and discuss the initiative.