GRAYSON COUNTY, TX - Most people seem to agree that Grayson County needs a new jail, but most people say they don't want it in their neighborhood. Recently Grayson County commissioner’s court put a 120-day hold on a piece of land and Saturday, residents in near-by Cedar Park Village met to discuss the jail.

Cedar Park Village in Sherman is not far from U.S. Highway 82 and Baker Road, where Grayson County officials may build a new jail. Residents in the community are concerned about the development.

Residents met Saturday morning in their quiet neighborhood, discussing issues about their possible new neighbors. David Cortinas says he and other residents think the Commissioner's Court moved too quickly on the land near Cedar Park Village. He wants to make sure the community has a voice through this process.

"We want to observe all options. We understand that they've done their homework, we understand that they've done a great job in determining the jail and the needs of a jail. However, if it's going to be put here, let us have that voice," says Cortinas.

Resident Thad Thompson is concerned that home values will go down and that having a jail nearby will encourage others to move out of Cedar Park while discouraging others to move in.

"Our home values in here, you can see it's a very nice neighborhood, would probably drop,” says Thompson. “The first two 'for sale' signs in the community have already gone up."

Grayson County commissioner Jackie Crisp says there is nothing to fear. Areas around a jail are very secure, with many law enforcement officers for protection. Crisp also says that home values typically go up in areas near a jail, possibly because the area is so safe. He also says the U.S. 82 and Baker Road location would be a good fit.

The location is convenient and the utilities are already set up. Still, Crisp says he knows there will be opposition no matter where the jail is built, but he hopes to cooperate with the home owners to find a good resolution.

"We'll discuss their needs. We'll tell them what we want and try to work it out,” says Crisp. “I don't know of any place in the county where we're going to build this thing that someone's not going to complain. Even downtown, when you start taking their homes, they're going to be mad."

Cedar Park Village residents will make a presentation at Monday's commissioner's court meeting to discuss the jail, but Crisp says one thing is certain. The county is facing pressure from the jail commission and needs a new jail, one that houses all county inmates awaiting trial.

The county often has to send inmates to Cooke or Fannin counties, which costs up to $45 per day. Crisp hopes a new privatized jail would only cost between $30-$35 per day.