Better for both to have home built elsewhere

Behavioral Systems Southwest is attempting to build a transition home in the heart of downtown El Centro, where a former pharmacy was located.

On Tuesday, the El Centro Council voted to extend a moratorium that was in place, prohibiting a change of zoning in the area, therefore preventing the transition home to be housed there.

We feel that it’s beneficial for both sides to have the home built somewhere else.

The business community in that area is already facing challenges from theft. An article in our newspaper recently reported the thousands of dollars business lose every summer from the theft and damage to their air conditioners.

According to crimereports.com, the downtown area had 20 incidents reported this past week which include property theft and disorderly conduct.

We’re not saying crime will increase as a result of this transition home, but with the stigma businesses are facing of crime in the area, they don’t need another possible deterrent to shoppers.

The home could also benefit from being placed in a better location. At a location that doesn’t have such busy foot traffic could benefit the inmates.

We have zoning laws for a reason, to keep liquor or tobacco shops from being placed near schools, to divide homes from industrial areas and while we support those that want to a second chance at being contributing members of society, a transition home in a downtown business area just doesn’t make sense.