Move raises concerns

By BRAD DICKERSON
Glasgow Daily Times

GLASGOW May 08, 2008 04:24 pm

— Nicole Riley was not thrilled when her new neighbors moved in on April 26.
The Cave City resident lives on Second Street and her backyard connects with the new Addiction Deliverance Outreach (ADO) House – part of the Caveland Baptist Church ministry. The ADO House is on Owens Street.
“I think they should have put the home somewhere not in the neighborhood,” Riley said.
She said her biggest fear is for neighborhood children – including her own – although she admitted that there had been no unpleasant incidents.
“We’re just scared for the future,” Riley said.
Caveland Baptist’s ADO ministry has worked for the past eight years to offer assistance to those battling drug and alcohol addiction, according to ADO Pastor David Pitcock.
The ADO House has been in existence for four years. It previously was on Broadway Street in Cave City.
Pitcock said moving from Broadway to Owens Street was based on several factors. One primary concern was that the apartment complex across from the ADO House had a lot of suspected drug activity and there was questionable traffic going up and down the street.
“We are trying to get out of the drug and alcohol environment,” Pitcock said.
He added that they were paying rent at the previous location. They bought the new home and property, which houses 10 residents.
Caveland Baptist Pastor Chad Hunt said he has received a few phone calls regarding the move.
“They didn’t want their children exposed to drug addicts,” Hunt said of some people in the neighborhood he’s spoken with.
Bobby Esters, another neighborhood resident, also doesn’t think relocating the ADO House was a good idea.
“It’s right in a residential neighborhood with young kids and that’s what I’m against,” Esters said. “Nobody knows who they are or what to expect from these people.”
Pitcock said before anyone is allowed in the house, their background information is obtained. Entrance is denied to those convicted of a violent or sexual offense.
Residents also have to be employed, refrain from vulgar or obscene language and behavior, attend church twice a week, go to group meetings and have one-on-one counseling with other ADO members. Residents have an 8 p.m. curfew and a 10:30 p.m. bedtime and are required to do chores around the house.
Pitcock said supervised random drug tests are done about twice a week and breathalyzer tests are performed more frequently.
“If someone tests dirty, I will call probation and parole and have them picked up,” he said, adding that this has happened once in the past year.
In the future, Pitcock said the church’s ADO ministry may build a facility of their own, an idea that was discussed before buying the Owens Street property.
“It costs a lot of money,” he said. “The city is just the best place to find a house.”
At least one former neighbor was sad to see the ADO house move away.
Elsie Meredith’s beauty shop, Cross Cut Hair Design, is on Broadway Street and was next to the former ADO facility. In 2007, the residents offered assistance to the shop owner during a blaze.
“My porch caught on fire last year and they called 911 and had it put out for me,” Meredith said. “I’ve cut a lot of their hair and they’re very nice and respectful.”