The county is looking at ways to clarify that certain housing is to be used to serve “sex offenders.”
A revision to the definition of Less Restrictive Alternative (LRA) Community Housing is being eyed, Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) representatives said at a meeting on Wednesday, October 2. The current definition states that LRAs serve “people.”
The meeting is a follow-up briefing to Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) about Less Restrictive Alternative (LRA) Community Housing.
Courts place law offenders into two categories of facilities: the public Secure Community Transition Facility (SCTF) for violent sexual offenders and the private LRA for others.
LRAs are being more localized at present after the state changed RCW 71.09.097, allowing offenders who are not categorized as a “sexually violent predator” to be housed in one.
CPED Associate Planner Ana Rodriguez explained the proposed new definition to the board in response to the Planning Commission’s suggestion of making it more transparent and clearer about what the facilities are.
“I just touched base with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on ways we could try and make it more transparent and so this was done in collaboration with them,” said Rodriguez.
A clause for siting was also added, stating that the siting and approval of an LRA facility is determined by the State Department of Social and Health Services, under state law.
Commissioner Wayne Fournier expressed concern about the very specific wording used and suggested adding “other court-ordered issues.”
County Manager Leonard Hernandez explained that the term is clarified because the county law this definition addresses is specific to sex offenders, and another statute covers other offenders.
A public hearing will take place next month after the BoCC briefing in August and the recent October follow-up briefing.
The final action is planned for November.
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anothername
I am confused about the distinction between sexualy violent offenders and sexual offenders. They are both violent and predators. Either way they are not welcome near my children.
Tuesday, October 8 Report this
JulesJames
The Washington *** Offender registry categorizes these convicted individuals into three categories of risk: Level I (low), Level II (medium), Level III (high). It would be helpful if Thurston County would discuss the issue of halfway housing using these risk categories. Level III convicted *** offenders are predatory animals near-certain to re-offend. I hope "Less Restrictive Alternative Community Housing" does not include Level III individuals.
Tuesday, October 8 Report this
Boatyarddog
Individuals Classified as one level can have their Level changed just by Not having a Residential Address.
And with a loss of your place of residing, Level 2 offenders are subject to community notification.
Not having an address to reside at means you have to go in Weekly to the Sheriffs office and fill out a LOG as to where you resided at the past week.
That requirement of weekly personal checkins for Those unhoused offenders is as good as an address.
Because by law you will be there to check in weekly, or a warrant is issued for not registering as an R.S.O
Tuesday, October 8 Report this
Callie
I'd like to describe a convicted sexual offender that I know personally, and who was scammed of $3,000 by people who said they could offer an apartment. I suspect his time in prison led to his lack of sophistication . . . he works a difficult outdoor job, pays taxes, etc. now. Lives in LRA housing with strict curfews, weekly supervision.
X was 17, in the cafeteria of Capitol High School, when Y, a-14-year old playing hooky from Jefferson Middle School (walking distance) met him and offered ***. Since they met at High School, and she claimed to be older, he was unaware of the risk. She has since testified that it was a tender, non-coercive relationship that she initiated. He was considerate and sweet to her. Last I knew, many teens are sexually active. STDs among abstinence pledgers is the same rate as the general population. When Y was 15 and X was 18, he was charged with statutory ****. That means that he was legally an adult and she was legally a child. He was headed for the Marines, instead went to prison. She was not allowed to testify.
Not a predator. Uninterested in youngsters sexually. Has a same-age girlfriend. A guy who needs your help to have a normal life.
Wednesday, October 9 Report this
Boatyarddog
Callie,
After a certain amount of time has.....10 yrs?
Your friend can petition the Court for a removal from the RSO requirements.
You will need legal representation.
But it does work.
Wednesday, October 9 Report this