Residents from a small community in Montgomery County, Maryland, are messing up the proposal for a drug rehabilitation group that is being built in a residential area next to the elementary school.
At a community meeting Monday night, Brookville families grilled council members on zoning issues and safety risks at the facility's proposed location.
Residents said they were blind to the news and were given nothing on the issue. They were concerned about potential safety issues for students due to the proximity of the facilities.
“Taking the youngest and most vulnerable population and opportunity in a residential area is a real risk, not a risk that anyone in this audience wants to take away,” one resident told MP Dawn Ludetke, who represents the district.
Maryland families told county leaders there were safety concerns about the proposed drug rehabilitation facility built next to the primary school. (Fox News Digital/Istock via Getty Images)
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A mother named Kim, who lives near Greenwood, stands up to Ludoke and asks her to promise that her children will be safe for them to head to school.
“I want you to look at him,” she pointed at her son. “What can you say to me with a straight face? Can you see me and keep him safe? You sleep at night, is that okay?”
Two properties around Brookville were reportedly recently purchased by one owner with the aim of converting them into drug rehabilitation facilities known as the “Freedom Center.”
Residents who oppose the location of the facility have Petition has begunhas collected more than 1,400 signatures, urging the county to stop opening.
“We are not opposed to the nature of drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities or their care. In fact, we hope that this issue will bring attention and resources to addiction aid. The concern is the location of this facility,” the petition states.
The proposed facility reportedly shares a real estate line with a local elementary school. (istock)
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Geno, a Brooeville resident with three children participating in Greenwood, told Fox News Digital that the community is considering sponsoring the proposed zoning amendment by the county council.
He believes property owners can find “loops” in the county zoning laws and “operate as a single facility, physically and functionally,” two properties, each holding eight patients at a time.
The community is proposing an amendment to the zoning text that group homes must be at least half a mile away from schools, daycare or public playgrounds, or facilities used as group homes must be separated from each other at a minimum of 1,000 feet.
“It's kind of softball for the county,” Geno said. “They are just afraid to make decisions with their own code. This was by no means the original intent. But they are afraid to make decisions and we need them.”
“Anyone who is watching this situation will have four hollows of kindergarteners playing in the grass field. Two extreme drug rehabilitation centres will be 40 yards open to walk the path to school. This is outrageous.”
Greenwood's primary map with proposed drug rehabilitation facilities (Google Earth edited by Abby Grofic)
The Freedom Center website states it is a level 3.5 treatment center. This level of treatment includes “high-intensity adults that cannot be treated 24/7 outside the facility due to severe physical or psychological problems or severe impulse control issues, or because of risky symptoms requiring 24/7 monitoring.” American Addiction Center.
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Freedom Center and Luedtke did not respond to requests for comment.
luedtke said FOX5 DC Earlier this month, she said, “I recognize community concerns and our office is responding to inquiries about the zoning and permitting processes of private organizations that pursue this project. The safety and security of students and educators is paramount to me.”
