OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - With the Oklahoma County jail location still in limbo, communities around OKC are concerned that attention could turn towards their neighborhoods at any time.
That includes the northeast side of OKC, where a community discussion was held Monday night at Metro Technology Centers - Springlake Campus.
Monday's meeting produced a packed auditorium, with several local and state leaders in attendance, including the following panelists: Representative Jason Lowe, HD 97, Representative Forest Bennett, HD 92, Councilwoman Claudia Browne, Del City, Ward 3, Councilwoman Nikki Nice, OKC, Ward 7, Councilwoman JoBeth Hamon, OKC, Ward 6, and Councilperson James Cooper, OKC, Ward 2.
View the full meeting here.
Various voices around the metro have frequently voiced opposition to the jail's new location near residential neighborhoods, including District 1 Commissioner Carrie Blumert.
"We are still looking for a viable site [but] from the very beginning I have been publicly opposed to any site in NE OKC," she said during remarks at Monday's meeting.
Jess Eddy, organizer of Monday's meeting, has long been vocal about issues surrounding the jail as well as an advocate for incarcerated people in and around Oklahoma County.
He is one of many who have questioned moving the jail away from it's current location.
"I want you to consider tonight 25 acres at the existing jail site," he said, presenting a breakdown of data and locations to consider.
Eddy and others cited several reasons to leave the jail where it currently is, including access to transportation, mental health and the court system.
"[The jail] needs to be in a facility that's close and proximate to the facilities they need. And the only answer is downtown Oklahoma City," he continued.
But, as Ward 2 Commissioner recently explained to KFOR, that may not be an option.
"I just think it's probably a flawed plan from any number of ways you might want to try to approach it. So for me, it's a dead deal to go to the existing site or an even nearby," said Maughan.
"Who would have voted for a new jail if they knew that possibility that a jail would be in your backyard. Would you have voted for this? Absolutely no," said State Representative Jason Lowe, (D-Oklahoma City).
"Stay engaged; this is going to be a long fight."
As of last week, Oklahoma County Commissioners narrowed down the list of possible jail sites to just one location: 1901 East Grand Boulevard.
Five schools located under a mile near the site, and Mid-Del community members told KFOR they fear sex offenders who are released from jail could put children at risk and violate the Sex Offender’s Registration Act.
However, in an interview Monday with the station, Oklahoma County Commissioners said the law would not apply to the jail.
Additional sites could be added to this Wednesday's agenda, according to Oklahoma County Commissioners.
OKC councilmembers said they plan to add a resolution for discussion about jail locations to Tuesday's regularly scheduled meeting.
