The Los Angeles County Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Subcommittee has recommended a plan that would place juvenile offenders in Santa Clarita for the long-term without discussing the proposal with the City of Santa Clarita.
The DJJ’s plan would have Camp Joseph Scott and Camp Kenyon Scudder, which are near residential areas in Saugus, serve as the long-term facilities housing the county’s male youth offenders once renovations are completed in the two facilities.
“Our initial concern right now is the lack of consultation and communication with the city and members of the public in regards to the state’s decision to have camps converted into DJJ facilities,” said a spokesperson for Ken Striplin, Santa Clarita city manager. “It’s unclear what the county’s process was in recommending camps to be used as the countywide facilities for the DJJ.”
The DJJ’s suggestion comes after Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 823 closing the state’s juvenile justice division and making juvenile justice the responsibility of California’s counties beginning July 1, 2021, city officials said.
“Our initial concern right now is the lack of consultation and communication with the city and members of the public in regards to the state’s decision to have camps converted into DJJ facilities,” the spokesperson said. “It’s unclear what the county’s process was in recommending camps to be used as the countywide facilities for the DJJ.”
The DJJ’s suggestion comes after Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 823 closing the state’s juvenile justice division and making juvenile justice the responsibility of California’s counties beginning July 1, 2021, city officials said.
SB 823 (2020) barely passed and it passed by a party line vote, according to officials with the office of Senator Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita.
“It’s upsetting that once again plans that could directly affect public safety are being announced without input from our community,” said Suzette Vallardes. “This move could have a significant impact on the City of Santa Clarita, yet no one representing the City has had a chance to weigh in. Impacted communities deserve to have their voice heard.”
The bill did not go through the proper vetting channels as most policy legislation does before it goes to the floor for a vote, according to officials.
“You know a bill is bad when Democrats jam it through the process at the last minute without proper committee hearings, transparency or public input, and still only received the minimum number of votes required to pass,” Wilk said. “SB 823 barely passed the Senate because it was bad policy that puts victims at risk and increases financial burdens on counties.”
Los Angeles County had to create a plan to house juvenile offenders, which would initially place male offenders at Campus Kilpatrick in Malibu while renovations would be made at Camp Scott and Camp Scudder in Santa Clarita, according to officials with Los Angeles County.
The offenders overseen by the DJJ consist of people between 12 and 25 years old who have committed serious crimes including rape, murder, arson and robbery, according to the City of Santa Clarita.
Following the renovations, the male DJJ youth would be placed at Camp Scott and Camp Scudder for the long term, Los Angeles County officials said.
“The lack of outreach, input and thought to the residents of Saugus and all of Santa Clarita when it comes to housing juveniles who commit serious crimes is extremely disappointing,” said Santa Clarita Councilman Jason Gibbs. “Modifying a facility to house criminals that have been convicted of rape, arson and even murder, so close to residential homes is not only inappropriate, but a disservice to the safety and family-first environment people have come to enjoy and expect from Santa Clarita.”
The Santa Clarita City Council is set to discuss the issue at an in-person meeting on Tuesday, June 22.
To Read the bill in its entirety, click here
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