Halfway House Worries CdA ‘Hood

Some neighbors in Coeur d’Alene were surprised this week to learn that a house on their block is now home to men recently released from prison. The 17th Street residents were upset to find out Wednesday that Robert Obeid, the owner of the little yellow house near theirs, is now offering it as transitional rental housing for former inmates. “This is a nice neighborhood, and now our children are prisoners,” said Jarrod Womack, a father of four whose eldest is 12. “We can’t let them out alone.” There are 16 children living within 300 feet of the house at 306 17th St., Womack said. His own family lives across the street. “The laws protect these guys, and our kids lose their right to be safe when they’re outside playing,” Womack said/ Maureen Dolan , Coeur d’Alene Press. More here.

DFO: This is one of those few times that I might agree with Bill McCrory/OpenCDA.com . I don’t think it’s right to allow a halfway house in a neighborhood with little or no notice to the neighbors.

Question: What do you make of this situation?