News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 1, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Statement by Gov. Gary Locke on the DSHS report on sex offender placement criteria and process

"Today, the Department of Social and Health Services released its report on siting criteria, as promised, in response to citizen concern.

"Public safety remains the first priority in implementing the Community Protection Act. That means we must comply with the law and court orders so that no offender is released into a community without adequate treatment and supervision. No community will welcome such new neighbors, but every community deserves to be consulted before such placements occur as mandated by the law. Placement decisions must reflect clear, predefined criteria that put public safety first and foremost.

"This report lays out an effective process to expand the criteria for court-ordered community placements of these offenders, and to choose appropriate locations for those placements. The process includes consultation with the general public, interested organizations, and affected communities. It should enable DSHS to ensure public protection and effective community-based treatment, consistent with state law and the orders of the state and federal courts.

"I urge citizens and organizations to participate in further refining the criteria and selecting placement sites. The Community Protection Act will meet its public safety goals only with the support and involvement of concerned citizens."

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