'REHAB' HOUSE IS DANGEROUS

This is in reference to your article in the May 10 Local & State
section about a lawsuit filed by the Liberty Counsel to try to block
Osceola County's move to stop a faith-based substance-abuse program
from operating in a residential neighborhood. I live three houses down
from the Men of Destiny Ministry's "rehab" house.

In the six months (give or take) they have been operating, the
neighbors and I have seen two drug deals as early as 7:30 in the
morning, when these men were out without supervision -- not even two
blocks from their house.

This is a quiet single-family neighborhood.

Last month, the land behind their house caught fire, putting all our
homes at risk. This was from someone throwing down a cigarette.

I understand they do need this program. But it should not be in a
neighborhood full of children and less than a mile from the
elementary, middle and high schools. Our children are at risk every
day they walk to and from school. Do we need this additional risk? No,
we do not.

How would religious groups like to have these 14 men living in a
single-family home next to them and their children? How would they
like to be awakened at 3 a.m. by someone asking if this is the House
of Destiny?

Or, how about the men getting out of jail and coming to your home in
the afternoon and having your 16-year-old daughter who is home alone
answer the door?

What about the value of your $300,000 house that is no longer
appealing to prospective buyers when they find out who your neighbors
are?

Osceola County was correct in refusing to let this group home operate
in a residential neighborhood. So they have prayer meeting four nights
per week -- big deal.

Send them to an area away from families with children who are so
impressionable. They all need to go.

Christine Collins, St. Cloud