Closing Of Mecklenburg Co.’s Juvenile Detention Center Will Tie Up Officers

State officials said it could be a month before they come up with a solution for what to do with juvenile offenders in Mecklenburg County.

Budgets cuts are forcing the county to close the Gatling Juvenile Detention Center on Sunday.

State officials said Charlotte officers will now likely have to take the juveniles to Guilford County to find open beds. Two officers are needed to transport outside inmates out of the county.

"If (police) arrest two juveniles in one shift, there goes four patrol officers if you arrest them at different times," said Officer Adam Planty.

The state hopes to set up a system where Charlotte officers can drive to Gaston County and state officials would take the offenders the rest of the way to a detention facility, but that wouldn't start until April.

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