Submitted by John Simpson.
Last Thursday’s News Tribune brought us front page news that Governor Inslee is displeased with the Trump administration’s repeal of a safety regulation which governs the freight trains that haul large amounts of flammable materials.
The fear is that these trains would no longer be required to install electronically controlled pneumatic braking systems designed to decrease the chance of derailment.
“I fear the day we witness a destructive or deadly derailment that could have been prevented with readily available technology,” Inslee said.
While I understand and agree with the use of technology on trains to enhance public safety, I would also like the governor to apply the same logic to the increasing number of Adult Family Homes in Lakewood, particularly in the Oakbrook neighborhood, and the growing number of violent offenders and sexual predators placed therein.
To be clear, Adult Family Homes were never meant to house violent or sexual offenders; they were solely created for individuals to age gracefully and for those with vulnerabilities to receive care.
This has not always been the case, however, as the number of violent and sexual offenders – like a long line of rail cars carrying flammable materials – along with the number of Adult Family Homes continues to grow in the Oakbrook neighborhood.
To this end, the City has leveled legal proceedings against the state’s Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) in an effort to make it comply with state law, and that the agency be held accountable for the safety of Lakewood’s citizens and vulnerable adults living in and around these homes.
Recently, Pierce County Judge Elizabeth Martin ruled against the city’s complaint, saying that the issue should be addressed by the state legislature through either an amendment of the Adult Family Home statute or through new legislation.
The city will probably not appeal this ruling.
Meanwhile the number of Adult Family Home businesses will continue to grow in the Oakbrook neighborhood, and the DSHS freight train will continue to offload its volatile cargo of violent and sexual offenders.
This brings us back to Governor Inslee’s earlier quote.
To paraphrase, many citizens of the City of Lakewood fear the day we learn about a tragedy occurring at the hands of one of these violent or sexual offenders in or around one of these Adult Family Homes, a tragedy the governor could have prevented with the readily available technology of the stroke of a pen directing DSHS to comply with the law.
All Aboard! There will be a Community Meeting about Adult Family Homes on October 23rd beginning at 7:00 pm at the Lakewood Elks Lodge, located at 2388 on 75th Street West. All are welcome.
Mr. Simpson is a Lakewood City Councilmember.
Linda Shehan says
Living in Oakbrook, my property value is diminished greatly. I need the county assessor to decrease my tax value. Who would buy my house now? My retirement equity is lost.
Steve says
These is no correlation between those two issues, and your drawing of comparisons seems disingenuous.
That said, we should just be terrible people to whoever lives there until we chase them out. Anytime you see them in the grocery store, call them out in line as a sexual predator in public, let them and everyone else around know. Protest in front of their houses. Remember their license plate numbers. Harass them however you can (legally of course >_> )
Toni says
Good morning Steve. I read your comment and am perplexed to your comment that the comparison has nothing to do with each other. Do you not remember what happened to the maiden voyage of the South Sounder train, something the people of Pierce county did not want. It was a domino effect of non communication between and no concern to what the people of this county voted. No communication, doing something because it was for the good of the people, non proper training. What it cause? It took 3 lies and effected families of injured people. This is what would happen if Sex Offenders were allowed into group homes in Oakbrook. I live here and can tell you of at least 6 group homes close to me. Several are close to school bus stops for middle and high schools. The people who work these homes are not trained to take care of SO, they are trained to take care of those who need the assistance of medical personal. SO coming out of the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island are Level 3, those most likely to reoffend. I ask you to do some research and compare the 2 situations, they are comparable. Mr. Simpson wrote this in prospective way so that all would understand the situation. The late Mike Carrell worked hard to send SO or any felon back to the state of incident and this is what it should be. Oakbrook is not a dumping ground for SO in group homes just because it is close. Oh BTW, you may ask how I would know this information? I worked for the Dept of Corrections and my case load were SO!
Toni says
Thank you for your letter of explanation regarding Sex Offenders and group homes in Oakbrook. I just ran a search of group homes in Oakbrook and counted approximately 35, + or -‘ several within the vicinity of my home. Those SO coming from the Special commitment Center and out of Western State are Level 3 offenders, those most likely to repeat their offenses. My thoughts are Level 3 SO need to be in an environment where their needs can be taken care of, not in a group home there the patients are either elderly or with mental challenges need someone who is medically certified to take care of them. They are not trained to take care of a SO and out other patients in jeopardy. I am not sure why the governor will not step in and consider the decision made to go forth with SO. As a resident of Oakbrook, I do not have children at home but am watching those children who live in my area.