Adelanto considers building another jail to create jobs, revenue

ADELANTO, Calif. (KABC) -- The city of Adelanto is considering raising revenue by adding another jail. The mayor says it will create jobs, but many residents fear another jail will raise the crime rate.

When most cities talk about raising revenue or bringing in new jobs, they think about trying to attract big business or retail. But here in Adelanto, they're talking about bringing in another jail.

"We've knocked on retail's door, we've asked retail to come in, it's not that simple," said Adelanto Mayor Cari Thomas.

Thomas says the financial bottom line is so bad that the city is on the verge of bankruptcy. So even though there are already two private detention centers in the area, a county jail, and a massive federal prison just outside the city limits, Adelanto is considering another facility on a stretch of land right next door to the federal prison.

"I have residents that are crying and crying and crying that they need jobs, and this is a huge driving job force," said Thomas.

If approved, it would be a private detention facility that would house the overflow of inmates from L.A. County.

Some say it could mean about 2,000 jobs, and the city needs money. But a lot of people are against it.

The Adelanto City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed jail Wednesday night.

If the project is approved, it could be more than two years before the jail is built.