Allegheny County does not have a facility to hold juveniles at a time the number of teens involved in violent crime is going up.
Each week, we report the arrests of youth increasingly accused of shootings, car jackings, robberies and fights.
The Shuman Detention Center was closed after the state pulled its license last year. Violations were frequent and the facility was underutilized. But there was no “Plan B.”
Now, judges have to find places to detain youth in other counties or even out of state. It’s not easy because there are few available beds.
Not having a place to hold juveniles who commit serious offenses is a community safety issue.
Now, civic leaders disagree about privatizing teen detention or having the county try again.
We say it is time to end the debate, reach a consensus and open a badly needed facility.
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