REASONS FOR NOT CHOOSING US
Every community is going to say that they don't want this next door, however we feel that DSHS has not done an adequate job in treatment or the selection process for a valid site. 

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  1. Separation of DSHS & Department of Corrections  - By placing a Violent Sex Predator house on Department of corrections property, DSHS is instilling a false sense of security. The Department of Corrections and DSHS are completely separate entities. The Department of Corrections does not have the resources to provide security to this Halfway house. The courts have ordered DSHS to distance itself from the Department of Corrections. 
  2. Bus Stops -  The sex predator site must not be in line of sight of school bus stops. Currently we have school bus stops only 4/10's of a mile away. These stops are where children congregate and this makes them an easy and accessible target.
  3. We have done our part - Walla Walla currently has 2,277 inmates here, of which 116 are sex offenders. Walla Walla has done their part, it is time for another community to assist the state with its problems.
  4. DSHS did not follow City Rules - Walla Walla has specific laws and rules for placement of these types of sites. DSHS conducted a stealth campaign and bypassed the cities ordinances regarding this. The city was never even consulted.
  5. No Community Input - According to DSHS, they will communicate and work with communities. DSHS did not speak with anyone in Walla Walla to discuss this matter. 
  6. To close to neighborhoods - The site chosen in Walla Walla is just 4/10's of a mile from one of our neighborhoods. We are essentially stopping that neighborhood from having any future parks, churches, schools or bus stops.
  7. DSHS Rules Not Fair - DSHS was rushed to place rules due to judicial ruling for placement of this type of house and we feel that much more discussion and input is required. The committee to make this decision was made up of politicians, predator advocates, victims advocate groups, and police. We feel expert input and further investigation and research is required to establish rules that are fair to all cities while allowing these predators a system to re-enter our communities.
  8. No Long Term Planning - The decision by DSHS has not addresses the long-term community concerns. The effects on the economy, businesses, and others.
  9. Potential Economic and Social Effect of having Sex Predators in Community - By placing the house in our community these people will probably eventually be completely transitioned into the community. As they continue to stay here, our percentage of sexual predators that enter into our community will rise. This will increase our costs for public housing, treatment, police, etc.
  10. Offenders have not received adequate treatment - There has been much chaos and arguing in the Special Commitment Center at McNeil Island. Many experts feel the program is a sham. In fact, the most likely first candidate for release has only received 42 classes and now 
    they feel he is ready to integrate back into the community.\
  11. Walla Walla City Liability - No where in the siting criteria does it address the possible legal and financial liabilities of our city if something goes wrong.

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