Community Scorns Youth Center

SANDY RIDGE, N.C. — Neighbors are not happy about a proposed juvenile detention center in their community, regardless of its level of security and appearance.


The state Department of Corrections wants to build a youth development center, which community members have labeled a “youth prison.”


The center will not use armed personnel or Tasers, and will not look like a prison, according to officials. It will be a secure facility where pepper spray and therapy will be the primary means of controlling the juveniles.


Opponents say they do not want to live in fear and they are afraid their families might be in danger as long as a detention center exists in their neighborhood.


They plan to appeal the center and county commissioners are set to schedule a public hearing in January.