Over the past few weeks, I have received several phone calls concerning Cambio Academy, which is located on Greenbrier-Mossydale Road. From what I understand, this academy is a private residential treatment and rehabilitation center for troubled teens. I understand the center houses females ranging in age from 13 to 18 years old.
I was informed that it opened in May, 2017 and, since opening, the Fairfield County Sheriff’s office has received 95 calls regarding this center. While I fully understand that these teenagers need help and a stable environment to live in, my main concern regarding Cambio is the Fairfield County residents who live within the Greenbrier community and close by the facility.
From what I have been told, there have been reports of these teens running away, showing up in citizens’ yards and even making their way inside of someone’s residence.
Another concern is how time consuming it has become for the Fairfield County Sheriff’s department to respond to these calls and diverting them from other matters within the County that need their attention.
In speaking with Sheriff Montgomery, it usually requires two to three deputies every time they respond to a call at Cambio. The Sheriff also informed me that he met with the owner who lives in Ohio to discuss ways to help improve these issues. However, after giving the owner time to try to resolve the issues, unfortunately, nothing has improved.
At this point, I think the County needs to look into our options regarding the academy and see what the most prudent next steps may be. I don’t think any of us would want the academy to have to close, but we have to look out for our own in the community and also reduce the burden that facility has had and continues to have on our taxpayer funded resources.
I am, therefore, asking our County Administrator, Mr. (Jason) Taylor, to work with the County Attorney to look into this and come up with some options.
