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April 1, 2008

Probation center can be housed in day-care building

PROVIDENCE –– The State Properties Commission voted today to allow a probation and parole center inside the same South Providence building that houses a day-care center.

Commission members acknowledged that the same Urban League facility already offers therapy for “high-risk” sex offender on one side of the day care and a homeless shelter that serves known sex offenders on the other.

“I still have concerns that we’re mixing two things that really shouldn’t be mixed,” said commission member Richard B. Woolley, who was the only one of the five committee members who did not vote to support the proposal. He abstained.

The commission’s vote was contingent on plans by the Providence Police Department to open a police substation at the Prairie Avenue building in the coming months. As many as 16 officers at one time would use the substation as a home base during the day, according police Lt. George Stamatakos, who testified before the commission this morning.

The Properties Commission has no authority over the day-care center, which is licensed by the state Department of Children, Youth and Families.

“They have a completely clean record. It’s a wonderful program,” said Kevin W. Savage, administrator of licensing and regulations for DCYF, who also testified this morning. “I really can’t think of a better day care.”

-- Journal State House writer Steve Peoples

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 1:47 PM | Permalink

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Your asking for it | April 2, 2008 10:46 AM link

Patricia corbett | April 2, 2008 12:15 PM link

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