Published: March 26, 2008 09:27 am         

Residents voice concerns about boys leaving alternative school at Oldtown

OLDTOWN - Nearly 75 residents living near Three Springs New Dominion Maryland, an alternative high school for troubled boys, agreed to work with school officials and find ways to improve school security and that of residents.

The meeting at the Oldtown Volunteer Fire Company's Community Center was requested by Bob Malamis, who is serving as a spokesman for a group of residents who appeared to be fed up with students leaving the 330-acre open campus and entering private property.

Representatives of the Allegany County Sheriff's Office, the Maryland State Police and the state Department of Juvenile Services also attended, as did Tim Snyder, an administrator with the State Attorney General's Office who monitors DJS-licensed schools in Maryland operated by private companies.

Residents said those intrusions have led to theft, damaged property, one assault and at least one stolen car - all perpetrated by students leaving the school without permission.

Ron Brown, Three Springs regional director based in Alabama, agreed any incident that results in a violation of neighbors' privacy is a problem that must be addressed. He suggested forming a community safety committee, comprised of area residents and school staff, to identify ways in which the two parties can work together and be part of a solution.

"We take these events very seriously," Brown said. "We want to respond in such a way as to make that program as safe as possible. We know we've had issues. We are prepared to take action and make things better."

Brown said if he owned property adjacent to Three Springs, "I'd be concerned."

But Brown suggested that with proper safeguards in place and a proactive community, most of the issues can be solved peacefully and safely.

Snyder said it was only a year ago that state lawmakers required monitoring of privately run facilities with a DJS license to operate. In response to public inquiries and in preparation for Tuesday's meeting, he drew from a database the numbers of incidents in which students have left school grounds without permission.

From December 2005 until March 18 this year, Snyder said there have been eight such incidents at the Oldtown facility. Green Ridge Regional Youth Center, operated by the state, has had five escapes and three walk-offs, Snyder reported.

But Three Springs screens its students and makes the decision whether to accept a student. Green Ridge does not. There were 127 total reportable incidents in that same time period at Green Ridge, including assault, compared to 56 such incidents at Three Springs New Dominion Maryland.

Malamis said there was a consensus that all area residents who so desired should be notified immediately upon a student leaving the school's campus. The move, he argued, would allow residents to take precautions to safeguard themselves and to keep an eye out for the students.

Likewise, Malamis said, residents who sign up for that service should be notified when a student has been returned to the school.

Bill Dixon is a sheriff's deputy who lives in the area. Speaking as a resident, he asked school staff why there appeared to be an increase in the number of walk-offs in recent years. Dixon said few residents had a problem with the school or its mission.

"Ten years ago, kids wanted to be there," said Dixon, noting that it seemed "more and more are court-ordered" to attend.

That, indeed, was a fact. When the school opened in the early 1980s, a substantial majority of students were committed to the facility by their parents.

But Gary Wolz, school administrator, said the economy has played a role in reversing that trend. Of New Dominion's 32 current students, 88 percent are there via court order, he said.

Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.