Board refers complaints about a Central Avenue group home to public safety for investigation

Board members referred complaints about a Central Avenue residential facility to the Public Safety Committee after aldermen and residents raised concerns about safety and oversight.
Aldermen said news coverage and constituent contacts described an operation in which a resident had entered neighbors’ homes and allegedly physically harmed elderly residents. Board members noted that the facility appears to be overseen by a state agency or a contractor and that ownership and oversight differed among parties. The motion to refer the issue to the Public Safety Committee passed by voice vote.
Why it matters: Board members said the situation, if accurate, raises neighborhood safety concerns and potential gaps in oversight of group homes that operate in residential neighborhoods. Members asked staff to contact state regulators and local service providers to clarify oversight responsibilities and explore remedial steps.
What’s next: The Public Safety Committee will investigate the complaint, seek information from state agencies and contractors that operate or license the home, and report back to the board with options or findings.