THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 7, 1994 TAG: 9407020239
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 101 lines
Freemason residents have launched a petition drive to stop a juvenile delinquency program from opening in the historic neighborhood.
The Norfolk Marine Institute is scheduled to open in August at the YWCA of South Hampton Roads on Freemason Street.
The program offers non-residential classes and rehabilitation to youths committed to the Department of Youth and Family Services. It will serve 36 Norfolk boys and girls, ages 14-18.
But some neighbors feel the Freemason site is not right.
``I'm opposed to the facility being located in a residential area downtown,'' said Arthur Liles, a Freemason resident. ``I think we'll have a problem dealing with perception.''
Liles said the YWCA location could jeopardize neighborhood revitalization by deterring potential residents. Also, outsiders may begin to associate Freemason with delinquents, he said.
``The rebirth of a downtown area is dependent on people living downtown,'' he said. ``Even though (the program is) well-run and well-protected, the perception is it's a place for delinquents.''
Other residents believe the teens could pose a threat.
``I think it's a good program,'' Fred Herman said. ``But it's in a poor area. It seems strange to have the activity in an area that is promoted for tourism.''
Herman said many residents are ``appalled'' that the program would be near a bank and a museum.
``The large majority share my view that this is the wrong activity for the area,'' Herman said.
Laura D. Axtell, regional director for Associated Marine Institutes, said the program often encounters neighborhood opposition.
``There's so much misconception about what the program is,'' she said. ``I do understand why people are concerned, but this is not what they think it is.''
Axtell said the program offers youths a chance to change their ways before they become incarcerated. The average stay in the program is six months.
Juveniles now are being screened, and she hopes classes can begin by mid-August. The Norfolk Marine Institute will work with non-violent juvenile offenders who have been convicted mostly of property crimes such as burglary and vandalism.
Youths cannot loiter in the area and must adhere to strict schedules and rules. Institute faculty visit the youths at home and provide transportation to and from the program each day. Neighbors should not feel threatened, Axtell said.
``We operate several programs in nice residential areas,'' she said. ``(Residents) won't know we're here.''
Axtell said she understands why residents would be skeptical, but she wants them to learn more about the program. ``I know a lot of people have concerns,'' she said. ``We're going to do everything we can do to be a benefit to the community.''
In early June, marine institute officials met with Freemason residents to tell them about the selection of the YWCA. About 20 residents attended and only a few voiced opposition to the site, Axtell said.
Liles said 91 residents have signed a petition against the program site, but most are not hostile toward the marine institute's goals.
Also, Herman has sent a letter of opposition to the mayor. He argued that residents had little time to respond to the meeting.
``I'm all for social programs,'' Herman said. ``But there needs to be a sense of what belongs here.''
Liles isn't sure how many neighbors are opposed. ``I think that people are really not aware of the facility. So few attended the meeting and there has not been a meeting of the Freemason Area Resident Association,'' he said.
Marine institutes in other cities welcome community involvement, and open houses often satisfy questions about the program, Axtell said. Also, neighbors in other cities have served on boards of directors.
Liles recently toured the Newport News Marine Institute, which opened in 1988. He said he was impressed with the program but noted that the facility was in a non-residential area.
The YWCA was chosen because of its classroom facilities and location, Axtell said. The institute has a one-year lease and will move if any problems arise.
``We're trying to work with residents,'' she said. ``We're not trying to jam the program down their throats.''
Axtell hopes neighbors will be open minded. It is an alternative school, not a detention center, she said.
``We teach the same subjects (as public schools), but how we teach is different,'' she said. The program features a marine-oriented curriculum and includes subjects such as SCUBA diving. In addition to core classes, the students also receive vocational training.
``It gets kids wanting to learn. We can be a lot more flexible in what we do. You find out what they're interested in.''
Associated Marine Institutes, a non-profit organization based in Tampa, Fla., has established 39 programs in eight states and one in the Cayman Islands. Norfolk is the 40th site.
Axtell said Virginia state government has urged a Norfolk-based program ever since the Newport News institute was established. The state decides the number of youths at each site, and the program is entirely state funded.
``These are the best kids to work with. They have a lot to offer. If we don't do anything to help this generation, the community is setting itself up.'' by CNB