FL- Civil Commitment residents moved in 3 days

At least their living conditions are better, the prior facilty was reported to be horrible.

4-8-2009 Florida:

ARCADIA -- Almost 700 residents of the former Florida Civil Commitment Center were moved into a new facility over three days this week, with no significant problems.

Timothy Budz, GEO Group Facility Manager of the new FCCC complex on State Road 70 east of Arcadia, said the move of 675 residents was staged over three days with help from local law enforcement.

"Everything went as planned," Budz said. "I love it when a plan comes together."

Residents were moved in groups of about 50. The residents and their possessions were thoroughly searched before the men were loaded on a bus for the short trip. Each man was allowed to carry a small bag of personal items, and other possessions were boxed and moved using commercial rental trucks. Several groups of 50 were bused each day until everyone was moved.

The DeSoto County Sheriff's Office assisted with traffic during each of the moves. Deputies stopped traffic for a few minutes in both directions on State Road 70 while the bus drove the residents between their old and new quarters.

"Everything went well," Maj. Sam Williamson of the DeSoto Sheriff's Office said. "We had about 10 deputies in the area. We also had K-9 units from Charlotte, Highlands and Manatee counties on the three days just in case there were any escapes."

But there weren't. Budz said about the only issue was minor "nuisance" contraband such as cigarette lighters. ..News Source..