Commissioners discussed the need for a new Platte County Detention Center at a special meeting held Monday, April 29.
At the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) meeting, a more than $1.7 million bid was awarded to Axis Construction to refit the former sheriff’s offices into a new prosecutor’s office. The proposed 112 day schedule would have the new offices completed by mid-September.
Currently, the prosecutor’s office is separated, with a portion on the third floor of the historic courthouse building and the rest in the former commissioners’ offices in the administration center. According to County Administrator Wes Minder, the quarters are cramped and don’t allow for private conference space for attorneys to meet with victims of often-violent crimes.
Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd thanked commissioners for moving forward with the project. In March 2003, shortly after his election, Zahnd said he made a presentation to commissioners stating the prosecutor’s office was too small, and it had taken more than 20 years for a commission to address his concerns.
“I want to thank this commission for something else and that’s the attention given over the last couple of years to the county jail,” Zahnd said, stating the current jail is outdated, overcrowded, falling apart and in need of replacement.
“One of the worst things that can happen in a community is to not have sufficient jail space for dangerous, violent sexual offenders and also people who otherwise just won’t show up for court,” Zahnd said, pointing to problems Jackson County has had with overcrowding in its jail and allowing dangerous criminals to go free.
Presiding Commissioner Scott Fricker issued a challenge for anyone who believes the jail is not overcrowded.
“I was just speaking with Sheriff Owen last week and we already have four-five-six people already housed with other jurisdictions and things just get worse in the summer,” Fricker said.
He also commended Zahnd for the prosecutor’s diversion programs, that help funnel non-violent offenders who want help into programs that will help them navigate the system and re-integrate with society.
District Commissioner Dagmar Wood said she first toured the prosecutor’s office a decade ago when she was part of the jail committee and was shocked then. She is glad the problem is finally being addressed.
She also said Major Erik Holland had recently shown the commissioners makeshift weapons made by inmates at the detention center.
“They’re very creative, these people who have a lot of time on their hands,” Wood said. “They’re dangerous and when they’re in very close quarters they get more agitated and they lash out and they have riots and jailers get hurt.”
Zahnd said the current jail is not safe, as it’s been pulled apart and those parts are then turned into weapons. He said the current jail needs work and there needs to be expansion.
District Commissioner Joe Vanover noted he worked for Zahnd as an assistant prosecutor for 14 years.
“I was proud to play a part in keeping our community safe,” Vanover said. “For a community to remain a great place to live, the government must pay for everything needed to maintain public safety. The one weak link in the chain to keep Platte County safe is our jail. We must expand the jail. It is out of space. I fear for the future of Platte County if we start the slide where judges are required to release criminals that need to be behind bars.”