State Sen. Phil Fortunato released a statement on Thursday in which he expressed concerns with the process for releasing sex offenders with a high likelihood of reoffending. The statement came after Enumclaw residents apparently learned the state was placing unsupervised sex offenders in their community.
It mirrors the situation unfolding north of Tenino, where the state has sought to place sex offenders in a Supreme Living facility opposed by local residents.
“The situation is unacceptable and part of a pattern from some in Olympia that want to treat hardened criminals with kid gloves,” Fortunato said. “We’re seeing that with the police pursuit debate and now with the quiet release of predators into neighborhoods. Just look at what the state is doing in Lynnwood against the residents’ wishes with the drug rehab near a Boys and Girls Club.”
Fortunato said he has introduced legislation, Senate Bill 5729, that would limit where “less restrictive alternative” (LRA) housing for sex offenders could be located. Currently, LRA housing is allowed within 500 feet of a school while under Fortunato’s proposal such housing arrangements would not be allowed within 2 miles of a school. The proposal would also require the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), which oversees the placement of sex offenders, to provide notices rather than law enforcement. Other provisions include a requirement to notify elected officials, with Fortunato noting he learned about the issue from constituents.
According to the statement, DSHS officials indicated in an email they provided an offer to meet with legislators more than two months after notifying law enforcement of the release and a month after the offender moved into the unsupervised Enumclaw house.
“I get that DSHS is following the law. That’s not in question. What I’m trying to fix is a bad law that is letting high-risk sex offenders live unsupervised in unsecured facilities in our communities, near kids. It’s absurd,” Fortunato said.
With less than 10 days left before a key committee deadline in the Legislature, Fortunato said he is hopeful the groundswell of opposition to sex offender placement practices in Enumclaw and Tenino will encourage his Democratic colleagues who hold majorities in both chambers to act to fix the problem.
“This is not a controversial or partisan issue,” Fortunato said. “Public safety is a priority and committee chairs can get this done easily to keep our communities safe. Let’s get this bill heard and voted on.”
