Leland residents voicing concern over group home

Some Leland residents are voicing their concerns about the possibility of a group home moving in to their neighborhood.

It would be a level three home — a place where up to six youth suffering from a variety of mental disorders could live.

The home in question has been on the market for more than a year.

Now, there is a proposal in the works to turn the three bedroom home into a residential treatment center.

A level three group home requires a staff member to be present and available at all times throughout the day and night.

The patients could suffer from frequent aggression and other similar disorders.

However, the main concern for residents is the fact that the home will not be a locked down or secure space, meaning the residents could come and go as they please.

Concerned neighbor Jennifer Hunnicutt said, “Our main concern is safety — safety for the people and safety for the children. We want to have children, but we were so upset last night, we would never consider having children if something like this went up.”

The organization proposing the group home is called Divine Interventions Residentials.

The director would not go on camera but said the potential residents of the home deserve a safe area in which to live.

Neighbors will have an opportunity to ask questions and voice any concerns at a public hearing.

That hearing will take place Thursday, at the County Complex in Bolivia.