The whole county is vulnerable

Beware, residents of King County and surrounding communities.

The fourth public hearing concluded regarding the possible site location of a new transition house for violent Level 3 sexual predators. Afterward, the state Department of Social and Health Services told the media no new information was given to stop proceedings for placing a facility for dangerous sex offenders in south King County neighborhoods.

Don’t live in south King County? Well, there are currently 58 of these Level 3 predators to be placed. They’re currently looking for a facility to house approximately 12. Do the math. Four or five more facilities will be built anywhere in King County. Why? Because the county has the most offenders in the Special Commitment Center at McNeil Island. Since they were convicted here, they come back into our community.

DSHS is narrowing their possible sites, but 15 sites are still on a list as viable for future facilities. Where are they? Who knows? But they are somewhere in King County.

At these public hearings, we heard very personal, tragic experiences from people violated by sexual predators. Yet, DSHS found nothing wrong with housing predators near children’s bus stops, playgrounds, a homeschool, multiple public schools, stores, malls, churches, soccer fields, Little League fields, parks, and above all in a neighborhood. It didn’t matter. By disregarding these issues, DSHS approves of putting Level 3 predators –– the most likely to reoffend –– in a neighborhood surrounded by children.

Don’t think this doesn’t affect you just because you might not live near the current proposed sites. Not affecting your neighborhood this year? What about next year or the year after? A federal judge has ordered the state to place these predators. The children of King County deserve to be protected. Please, be informed. Let DSHS know that these predators do not belong in any neighborhood, anywhere, now or in the future.

Mike and Karen Fobes

Auburn