The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has added a new Felony Probation Office at its existing Bellevue location. This means child molesters, rapists and other violent criminals will be in the office lobby waiting to meet with their probation officers. Who else might be waiting right alongside these criminals? Single mothers and their children will be. Battered women will be. Mental health patients who go there to get their medications, which aren't even under lock and key, will be.
What about the people who work there? The employees are mostly women, who are more likely to become victims. They aren't even allowed to carry defense weapons of any type into the building. If anything, the employees are going to be the easiest targets. The criminals know where they work, can watch easily from across the street to figure out when they take lunch and when they leave for the day. How hard would it be to then follow them home?
What about security? There are no armed guards, and no security system. Would a call to the marshal's or sheriff's office provide a sufficient response time? Not likely.
What was the state thinking when they decided to house the Felony Probation Office in the Health and Welfare building? Will the state take responsibility if, or more likely when, one of these criminals decides to attack, rape or even kill a woman or child? Probably not. How much easier can the state make it for these criminals to target their next victims? Why not set up an office at one of the elementary schools? What about next door to the Advocates? How about the playground at Hop Porter Park?
A law enforcement building is the only logical and safe place to have this office. We are a tight community, and we need to keep it as safe as we can. Do not sit back and let the state do this because of your "It doesn't affect me" attitude. Anyone in this valley could wind up needing the state's help at any time. Do you want your wife or your kids in that building with those criminals?
William Weller Jr.
Hailey
