Security at the William F. James Boys Ranch near Morgan Hill has
been in question since neighbors of the facility northeast of the
city were alarmed after four teenage boys walked away from the
unfenced county detention center.
Security at the William F. James Boys Ranch near Morgan Hill has been in question since neighbors of the facility northeast of the city were alarmed after four teenage boys walked away from the unfenced county detention center.
Neighbors and city officials who are pressuring county officials to increase security at the facility and communication between agencies when escapes occur are doing the right thing.
Even before the recent escapes, improvements in both areas were under way. Everyone involved should use this incident as impetus to keep on that important track.
Clearly, this is a difficult mandate, especially in the face of budget cuts. But as we’ve said before, it’s often too easy for officials to fall back on the “no money” excuse, so it’s up to citizens to demand solutions.
Where officials choose to spend taxpayers’ money is how we judge their priorities, and safety should be a top priority.
At the same time, we caution worried residents to remember the valuable role the boys ranch fills.
“James Ranch is a juvenile rehabilitation facility,” Chief Probation Officer Sheila Mitchell told reporter Marilyn Dubil.
Rehabilitation is the key word. Boys sent to the James Ranch typically have been convicted of less serious offenses than those sent to juvenile hall.
Let’s make sure we give troubled teens an honest chance to turn their lives around before we send them to juvenile hall with the more hardened boys who can give them a real education in becoming criminals.
Perhaps neighbors and county officials can study youth ranch programs in neighboring counties as well as out of state to find the right formula to enhance security while keeping an environment that will allow the teens to choose a better path in life. Perhaps electronic ankle bracelets are needed?
“We are committed to seeing the youth succeed in this program, and we are also committed to being good neighbors,” Mitchell said.
That’s exactly the right goal. City leaders and county officials should work together to achieve it – for the future of our youth and our communities.
