BK jail holds open house ahead of reopening

More than 400 people attended an open house today at the Brooklyn Detention Center, which is expected to reopen next week to alleviate conditions on Rikers Island.The jail hasn't housed prisoners since 2003, when the city closed it due to budget cuts. In the last six years, the neighborhood surrounding the facility has seen a lot of changes, including the construction of six high-rise apartment buildings, as well as the opening of upscale stores and a hotel. Some local residents say they're concerned that the jail's reopening will impact safety in the area since nearly 800 inmates from Brooklyn and Staten Island will soon be housed in the heart of Boerum Hill. However, the city says the inmates won't be convicted felons, and they'll be staying there only briefly before trial. Officials say there is an underground tunnel connecting the jailhouse to the courts, so neighbors won't be interacting with inmates. However, some local associations have formed an advisory board if problems do arise.