Worthington children's home issues addressed Aug. 18

 

After a violent summer involving residents of the United Methodist Children's Home, Worthington residents will hear first-hand about security changes there.

An open community meeting will be held at 7 p.m. today, Aug. 18, in the dining hall at the children's home, 1033 High St. The large building is in the center of campus and parking is accessible via Wesley Boulevard.

Anne Brown, Worthington city spokeswoman, said some residents feel the facility, which provides a variety of services for 400 children including 25 residents, has outgrown its 42 acres across the street from the fire department and should not be located in a residential community. That option, she said, is unlikely.

"They're our neighbor and we need to find out how to protect our community," Brown said.

Pattie Charles, external relations for the children's home, said Tuesday, Aug. 17, that the format of the meeting still was being decided, but would be coordinated with City Manager Matt Greeson and the police department. There probably will be a presentation and a chance for residents to speak, Charles said.

"We're using questions (already received) from neighbors as a basis for the meeting," she said.

The recent community unrest began June 18 when two boys broke the arm of a 78-year-old woman during an attempted mugging. On Aug. 9, five boys are believed to have gone on an all-night crime spree that included an attempted carjacking, the ransacking of numerous vehicles and garages, two bicycle thefts, and a hit-and-skip incident in Columbus involving a stolen car.

Details of the recent incident have since been released by the children's home.

After going to sleep between 11:30 p.m. and midnight Aug. 9, the boys padded their beds to make it look like they were asleep for visual checks that occur every 15 minutes, according to the home. Next, they disarmed an alarm mechanism on the windows and escaped into Worthington Estates.

Charles said three of the five boys were arrested and one has been returned to the facility without further incident. One boy in the care of a case worker in Franklin County has yet to make a determination where he will go.

The children's home said in a press release it has "thoroughly investigated" the incident and initiated changes, including a security system that is not as easily disarmed, a bed check policy that will pull back covers, and the repositioning of a staff member to a better vantage point.

"This incident exposed an area that needs to be addressed and we are doing that, both immediately with policy and structure, as well as in the future as we move forward and develop programs designed to increase safety," stated the release.

During the community meeting, the children's home, which turns 100 years old in 2011, is expected to inform the community of its security improvements as well as listen to additional concerns of residents.

"It can't just be talk," Brown said. "People are looking for answers."

Due to the short notice of the meeting, Charles said an additional meeting will be held in the future.