Why was the Juvenile Detention Center referendum placed on the May ballot?

Kaufman County is one of the fastest growing counties in Texas. With this growth, we are seeing a dangerous increase in violent juvenile crime, gang activity and drugs. Much of this crime is moving in from cities in Dallas County. The Juvenile Detention Center, if approved by voters, will help law enforcement officers take violent and dangerous youth out of neighborhoods and provide them the opportunity to rehabilitate.

What is currently done with juvenile offenders in Kaufman County?

Currently, the sheriff’s department, police departments, and school district police departments are forced to take arrested juveniles to detention centers in central and west Texas. These transports take officers away from neighborhood patrols and cost taxpayers thousands of dollars each month.

What is the total cost of the Juvenile Detention Center?

The Juvenile Detention Center will cost approximately $40 million. As with all county government projects, cost-savings measures will be implemented to make sure there are no cost overruns.

What will be the impact on taxpayers?

If approved by voters, the cost to the average homeowner will be around $2 a month. However, cost savings for law enforcement organizations that would no longer need to transport arrested juveniles could be worth millions of dollars over the next decade. This would free up revenue to fund programs that crack down on gang violence, drug dealers, and violent juvenile crime.

What happens if we don’t build the Juvenile Detention Center?

Law enforcement officers across the county will be forced to continue transporting juveniles to detention centers in other parts to Texas – that could cost the Sheriff and police departments millions of dollars over the next decade.

How was the plan developed for the Juvenile Detention Center?

The plan for a Juvenile Detention Center was developed after months of in-depth research with county staff, the Sheriff’s department, constables, police chiefs, and taxpayers.

Will academic services be provided to those being held in the Juvenile Detention Center?

Yes. For juveniles held in the new detention center, academic, rehabilitation, reform, and education programs will help these at-risk minors get back on track and prepared for adulthood.