SPOKANE, Wash. — The Spokane County Board of Commissioners issued a statement Tuesday regarding recent uproar about the release of convicted sex offenders into Spokane County.
A woman recently created a change.org petition in an effort to stop the relocation of violent sexual predators in Spokane.
“There are a number of violent sexual predators living downtown on the 1200 block of North Lincoln," the petition reads. "These dangerous men were sent from prison to McNeil Island for extensive therapy and are now here in Spokane to 'continue' therapy. Not only are they sharing a roof on North Lincoln, they have liberty under supervision. This should not be an option for criminals.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 5,200 people have signed the petition.
County leaders say they have no control over where sex offenders are released.
In a press release issued Tuesday, the county cited Revised Code of Washington 9.94A.8445 that’s says, “All cities, counties, municipalities, and local agencies are prohibited from setting any and all rules, regulations, codes, statutes, or ordinances pertaining to the relocation or residency restrictions for persons convicted of any sex offense at any time.”
The Board of Commissioners said in the statement that even though sex offenders are being released in Spokane County, the county does not have authority to dictate where they go. Instead, it's an issue that has to be dealt with at the state level.
“As local legislators, their hands are tied. The Board of County Commissioners urges the public to join them in sharing their concerns with regional State Representatives, State Senators, and the Governor of Washington,” commissioners said in the press release.
The board plans to work with regional lawmakers in the upcoming legislative session to discuss solutions to the issue and the possibility of changing the state law to regulate the areas where sex offenders may or may not be released.
