Sex predator housing foes unite

Associated Press

OLYMPIA — Three state legislators, along with county commissioners from four counties, say they will try to change a new state law that requires halfway houses for sexual predators in 13 counties.

The effort will require support from elsewhere in the state, about 80 people attending an emotional meeting were told Monday night.

"We need to help our legislators convince other legislators that this has to be changed," Thurston County Commissioner Kevin O’Sullivan said.

Commissioners from Thurston, Mason, Grays Harbor and Cowlitz counties were joined by Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch, Reps. Gary Alexander, R-Olympia, and Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis.

"We will go back and work with you as much as you want," Sheldon said.

Law enforcement officials said halfway houses for violent sex predators in residential areas would conflict with their oaths to protect citizens.

"The placement of these people in the community places all citizens at risk for life sentences," said George Van Buskirk, a retired corrections official. "Believe me, the life of the victim, once these sexual attacks take place, it’s a life sentence just like a sentence for anyone."

Thurston County commissioners adopted a resolution promising to oppose transitional housing "unless provisions are made to unequivocally guarantee the safety and security of our citizens."

Grays Harbor County commissioners approved a similar resolution at a multicounty meeting last week, and Mason County commissioners said they would schedule a meeting soon.

A law adopted last summer requires 13 counties to accept "secure community transition facilities," or halfway houses, for violent sexual predators who have been released from the civil commitment center on McNeil Island.

The counties are Chelan, Clark, Cowlitz, Franklin, Grays Harbor, King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, Whatcom and Yakima counties.

State law allows the confinement of sexual offenders who have served their prison sentences but are found by a jury to be dangerous and likely to commit more sexual assaults.

A federal judge has ordered the state to create transitional housing for those who respond to treatment. State officials estimate that 49 of the 143 men and two women in the program will be eligible for release to halfway houses by 2007.

Pierce County has negotiated an agreement with the state for 24 beds on McNeil Island.

Walla Walla and Spokane have changed zoning ordinances to try to keep out such halfway houses, and Chelan County Commissioner John Hunter said last week his county also would not be willing to accept one.