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Union City communities still in fear

By LINDSAY BIANCHI
lbianchi@TheCitizenNews.com

A group of concerned citizens living in Union City, are continuing their fight against the expansion of a detention center. P.A.L.E., Partners Against Larmore Expansion, was successful in enforcing a one month stop work order against the expansion of the 120 inmate detention facility located in South Fulton County. The low security center is planning to expand their operation to 700 inmates. As recent as June 9, another escapee was spotted in a nearby back yard. Neighbors went door to door to alert people of the escape once it had been verified that a man had indeed walked away from the facility. He was captured two days later in College Park.

Area residents are concerned about the ability of Larmore inmates to leave the grounds so easily. A small buffer of 120 feet, according to plats of the facility, do not do enough to deter, especially since the wooded area once separating the subdivisions from the prison have been removed.

Anjeanne James, a spokeswoman for P.A.L.E. who lives near the detention center said, “Our safety is in jeopardy. Our homes are in jeopardy. We’re a group of hard working people and the community was not consulted about this decision.”

The stop order ended July 1, but no more work has begun on the site since then. Federal dollars which are being used to finance this expansion must be used by a certain date. Authorities involved are currently looking for other site possibilities before that time runs out.

The group of concerned citizens have enlisted the support of D. R. Horton of Torrey Homes and Union City Mayor Ralph Moore, both of whom have written letters decrying the project. They are also interviewing attorneys to help them in their fight against Larimore.

“We know we are in it until the end. People only see it in their abstract mind. They need to really come and look at it. There is not a 500 foot buffer as reported. It is only 120 feet and that is no buffer.” James stated.

More information about the efforts of P.A.L.E. can be found at www.valleylakescommunity.com.