Caledonia Criminal Justice Center

Caledonia Criminal Justice Center

                I read an article in the Caledonia Argus about the progress on the new criminal justice center in Caledonia, Minnesota.  The article talked about how the progress on the building is going.  Because they did not have a lot of rain for a while last month, they were able to work almost every day to get the building built.  According to Rich Reding, from Knutson Incorporated, the company building the new court house, “Schedule wise, we’re running pretty well,” Reding noted. “Having to put up with the very wet summer was a challenge, but we were able to catch up quite a bit during the last three weeks”(Warner, 8).

                Personally I did not think the building needed to be put in Caledonia in the first place.  They had to tear down multiple buildings to make room for this huge new structure.  I know the building is supposed to house more inmates and nicer offices, but at what cost?  They built this place a block away from an elementary school.  What if an inmate escapes?  They could go and kidnap a child and do harm to them in some way.  The old court house is pretty close to the school also, but they put this one even closer.  Another reason I do not believe that we need a new building is because the old court house is a landmark and is part of the city’s history.  I would hate to see that place torn down.  I do not know if this is their plan, but if it is they can expect to get an earful from Caledonia’s citizens.  The construction of this place is another issue.  Every other day there is a different road blocked off to through traffic because it makes it easier for them to haul their raw materials around.  This just makes it more difficult to navigate around the town.  In conclusion, I do not agree with this new criminal justice center at all.