Proposal for home for felons raises ire

HOLLADAY — The man proposing to open a group home that could house felony sex offenders in a quiet neighborhood west of Olympus High School found himself surrounded by angry residents Tuesday night.

Jerry Jefferies, CEO of Futures Through Choices, called a meeting to answer questions regarding his interest in using a house at 2180 E. Sunnybrook Way (4020 South) as a rehabilitation facility. The group home would care for up to five individuals, ages 16-21, with developmental disabilities and criminal records.

Dozens of people crowded into the home — and outside of it — for what Jefferies hoped would be a civil gathering. But some residents were rude and accusatory, while Jefferies tried to calm fears by sharing more information about his company's plans.

Jefferies brought folders of information to distribute but most residents did not seem interested in knowing more — they were interested in having Jefferies look elsewhere for a group home location.

"We don't want criminals in any neighborhood," said Brandon Baker of Concerned Citizens for Safety in Holladay. "If I lived somewhere else I wouldn't want them there either."

Trudy Matheson, a single woman renting the house across the street from the proposed group home, said she probably will move if the deal goes through.

"I get panic attacks when I think about it," she said. "I like it here, it's safe here."

Jefferies, who holds a master's degree in social work, believes having the home in a safe neighborhood would encourage rehabilitation more than other state facilities.

"I think these children, these youth, have a right to be in the community," Jefferies told neighborhood committee representatives, city leaders and other residents.

"They have a right to a home that is safe and secure. They have every right to be here — as much as you do."

The home would be for individuals in state custody with IQs of 80 or lower. While most likely would be guilty of minor criminal infractions, the company's contract with the Utah Department of Human Services' Division of Youth Corrections stipulates the occupants could be felons and/or sex offenders.

That prospect has the neighborhood united in opposition to the home.

Dozens of neighbors congregated on Matheson's lawn across the street, holding signs that read, "We will never learn to live with felons" and "Not here, not in any neighborhood."