Photo: Members of the South Ozone Park Civic Association West last Thursday brought the organization’s message to the mayor as he toured Richmond Hill High School. Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza.
A small but spirited contingent of the South Ozone Park Civic Association West last Thursday afternoon set up a demonstration across the street from Richmond Hill High School, hoping to catch the eye of the Very Important Person who was visiting the 114th Street campus.
That VIP? Mayor Bill de Blasio.
As they waited on the brisk but clear afternoon for hizzoner to emerge from the building—he toured RHHS and touted its progress as a Renewal School—the community group held up a banner that read “Help Us to Stop Another Prison from Opening in So. Ozone Park @ 133-23 127th St.” and implored anyone walking by to please pay attention to their cause.
You can catch this plucky crew, and dozens of fellow civic members, every Saturday outside the construction site that has been proposed by the state for a residence for juvenile delinquents.
The property has been leased by Administration for Children’s Services to house 18 teenaged criminals that have qualified for the state “Close to Home” program, which is designed to keep youthful offenders out of prisons and near the communities in which they live.
On Thursday, civic members like Joseph West said they hoped to de Blasio would be sympathetic to their cause.
“The reason I oppose [the facility] is that it’s in a residential area,” West said as he helped another member hold up the sign.
West later added that he recently bought a house for his son that is directly across the street from the proposed site.
“So my grandson has to grow up in front of a prison?” he asked rhetorically.
West also said that he was worried about the value of his new investment, should the detention center be opened.
Last week, the SOPCAW voted unanimously to be plaintiffs in a lawsuit aimed at bringing a permanent end to construction at the site.
“I’m concerned that it’s a residential community—we have two schools, a lot of children, parks,” said a neighborhood resident who didn’t want their name published. “[A jail] is just not safe.”
Jeysha Ruiz, a civic member, said she, too, is concerned about property value and safety.
“As a household full of females, we worry about our security,” she said last Thursday.
Ruiz also noted that she remains cautiously optimistic after last week’s developments.
“If we don’t put in the effort, we’re never going to win,” she said. “But if we stay patient and persistent, then we will prevail.”
By Michael V. Cusenza michael@theforumnewsgroup.com
