A proposed new psychiatric facility that could house “at risk” mentally ill patients in North Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) – There may be rising concern in regards to the arrival of a psychological well being hospital in North Baton Rouge.

The brand new facility could be positioned within the Glen Oaks neighborhood subsequent to Forest Heights Academy of Excellence and blocks from Glen Oaks Excessive Faculty.

However who could be housed there’s what the legislators at the moment are concerned with.

Based on kinds submitted to the Louisiana Division of Well being, the power might be an intermediate psychiatric facility with 118 beds.

They are going to accommodate the grownup inhabitants with extreme and chronic psychological sickness, together with “those that have been criminally implicated in aggressive/harmful behaviors, and who’ve been civilly obligated after being discovered incapable of reform are ineligible to proceed to trial.”

Straight throughout the road from Central Specialty Plaza is Sandra Collins’ residence, which can turn into residence to the brand new facility.

“It’s extremely calm, now we have a guard round with police forwards and backwards, so I am very joyful about that,” Collins mentioned.

She has lived within the Glen Oaks space for 17 years and has considerations in regards to the proposed facility.

“Actually, I’ve misplaced some sleep over it, you realize by searching the window, coming to the window, ensuring issues listed here are protected and stuff,” Collins mentioned.

The information rapidly unfold all through North Baton Rouge, from neighbors to state legislators.

“My foremost concern could be safety. How robust is the safety?” mentioned Paula Hills, a neighbor, “I do not assume it is a good place for that, I do not agree with that.

“I do not assume this is a perfect location for such a facility, and I am not in favor of that,” mentioned State Senator Regina Barrow, District 15.

Metro council member Darrell Hearst says all he was instructed in December was that it will be a healthcare facility that would offer high-paying jobs for the world.

“It is a mentally ailing facility, not a jail, so there is not any barbed wire. These are individuals who might need been tried for serial homicide and serial rape however they weren’t eligible to undergo a trial course of, so that they had been despatched to an establishment that might home them,” Hearst mentioned.

The ability is positioned proper subsequent to Forest Highs Academy, which raises considerations for folks and educators as properly.

“I do not assume it is applicable for our district, I do not assume it is applicable for the neighborhood. However greater than that, I do not assume it is applicable to be subsequent door to a faculty in any district, not simply mine,” mentioned councilman Hearst.

He instructed us that the operator of the proposed facility is Collis Temple Jr.

WAFB tried to succeed in him a number of occasions on Tuesday, January 17, to seek out out extra about his plans for the power, however acquired no response from him.

“Everybody who is aware of me, is aware of I have been a powerful advocate for people battling psychological well being. However I believe placing a facility of this measurement in a neighborhood the place I’m is simply sort of making a recipe for catastrophe,” Sen. Barrow mentioned.

Now the neighbors are left questioning what this facility means for his or her future in the neighborhood.

“In the event that they did, I believe I might transfer on. It is not well worth the danger, not value my life,” Collins mentioned.

WAFB’s Lester Duhe spoke with EBR Faculty Board President Dadrius Lanus, who believes there’s nothing legally the college system can do about it. However he says officers at the moment are inspecting all their choices to see if they’ll work with the owner to mitigate the issue.

To study extra about requesting details about the proposed facility from the Ministry of Well being, please go to click on right here.

The neighborhood assembly might be held on Saturday, January twenty first at 10:00 am at Forest Heights Academy.

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