La Verne Chamber Of Commerce: Chamber Voices Opposition To Conversion Of Juvenile Offender Camps In La Verne, San Dimas

Press release from La Verne Chamber of Commerce:

February 11, 2022

The La Verne Chamber of Commerce has added its voice to the growing opposition to the proposed conversion of Afflerbaugh-Page and Glen Rockey juvenile camps to house the most serious young offenders. Click here to see the letter sent to the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors. The text of the letter is as follows:

January 19, 2022

Franky Carrillo Chairperson Los Angeles County Probation Oversight Commission Via email: fcarrillo@poc.lacountv.qov
Kathryn Barger Fifth District Supervisor Los Angeles County Via email: Kathrvn@bos.lacountv.qov
Hilda Solis First District Supervisor Los Angeles County Via email: firstdistrict@bos. lacountv.qov
RE: Letter of Opposition to the Conversion Of The Afflerbaugh-Paige and Glenn Rockey Camps to Secure Youth Treatment Facilities

Dear Supervisor Barger, Supervisor Solis, and Chairman Carrillo:

We write this letter on behalf of the business community in the City of La Verne and surrounding area to express our concern and opposition to the proposed conversion of the Afflerbaugh-Page and Glenn Rockey non-violent juvenile offender camps to secure youth treatment facilities intended to house the most serious criminal offenders incarcerated for murder, rape, robbery, assault, and other violent felonies.

We agree that to achieve better outcomes, changes are needed in how these youth are treated and served. Unfortunately, what the Commission is proposing is expanding the makeup of youth that will be placed at these facilities by age, degree offense, and length of stay. lt is our position that the impact of these changes, and their effect on the neighboring community, will be detrimental to both our business and residents. We can assure you, if the Commission's discussion was limited to how to reconfigure Camps to better serve the existing population, the business community would be supportive.

For years, the La Verne Chamber of Commerce and our business members have embraced various aspects of the probation system that have been in and around our community. We have taken ownership of the youth that are housed at the four facilities in our area. The current population served at Camp Afflerbaugh-Paige has benefited from a relationship with The La Verne Chamber and our business members. We have supported various programs at the Camp including, guest reading programs, workforce development programs and beginning in 2010 the La Verne Chamber has recognized a Teacher of the Year from Afflerbaugh-Paige each year.

The La Verne Chamber of Commerce recognizes Los Angeles County must comply with the juvenile justice realignment implemented under Senate Bill 823 which was signed by Governor Newsom in 2020. This law shifts the responsibility for incarcerating violent and serious offenders from the state to the counties, so that offenders are housed closer to their families and communities, and to treatment and social services. To meet the rehabilitative intent of realignment, it is irresponsible to consider use of the camps in La Verne and San Dimas given that that these sites are located high in the San Gabriel Mountains, are removed from treatment and supportive services, and have limited access, including no public transportation options. Facilities located closer to families, communities and needed services would better meet the County's goal of creating a "rehabilitative, healthfocused and care-first system" for the incarcerated.

The La Verne Chamber of Commerce appreciates your consideration and attention to this letter and your leadership on this matter of significance to the business community in La Verne.

(photo courtesy Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

This press release was produced by La Verne Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.