Would you let your kids play here?

jenilouise · 07-01-2009, 01:53 PM

I'll post the article and explain my opinions later.

Kids play feet away from Lane County sex offender treatment facility

Story Published: Jun 30, 2009 at 5:06 PM PDT

By Kim Quintero KVAL News

Video
EUGENE, Ore. - Sex offenders are receiving treatment in an office right next to a Eugene youth program.
The OSU/Lane County Extension Service hosts events for 4-H kids throughout the year. It has been adjacent to the treatment center on West 13th and Adams Street for more than a decade, but some parents are finding out for the first time.
"I was furious. I have never seen a more irresponsible act by a government - ever," said Bill Linn, parent.
For years, Linn brought his kids to the center near the Lane County Fairgrounds for dances, meetings and fairs.
"And never once has it been disclosed that this is a sex offender facility in the same building," said Linn.
It wasn't until Monday afternoon, Linn said, that a child wandered to the door of the treatment facility and was asked by a staff member to leave.
"And the parent was taken aback by the fact that 'what were they talking to my kid for? Can't they just run around in the parking lot at the extension facility?' " said Linn. "And they really can't."
Lane County's Behavioral Health Services Manager Al Levine, who oversees the treatment facility, said Tuesday afternoon that he was not aware children's events were hosted on site and did not know why the facilities were in such close proximity to each other. He also said there's a law enforcement presence and the offenders are always supervised, so they've never had a problem coexisting.
"If I was a parent, which I am, and my kid was going to 4-H activities, I'd be asking 4-H what kind of supervision they're providing," said Levine.
OSU Extension Service Staff Chair Steve Dodrill said Tuesday afternoon that parents never asked about the location, so it was never brought up. He added he's confident that children are safe at all of their activities.
"We have people here who are supervising any type of 4-H event that goes on," said Dodrill.
"I just think that we've put the facility in the wrong place, and I would rather tell you now, than have to tell you later that some child was abused or that someone fell off the wagon and was there," said Linn.
Levine expects the treatment facility to be moved into a renovated space on Charnelton in downtown Eugene in about a year.

Fallon · 07-01-2009, 02:16 PM

I would not allow my child to attend anything there after finding out there was a treatment center in the same building...there is just to much risk involved for me

RaisingHavoc · 07-01-2009, 04:47 PM

How is that even possible? We moved from a neighborhood that had 3 sex offenders within walking distance. Two of them were against kids. I'd have a meltdown and pickette(?) infront of the facility. You NEVER put sex offenders and kids in the same area. Would you put a bar on either side of the AA office? Oregan law....The Department of Correction decides where and how close a sex offender can live to a school or daycare center based on a decision matrix. The majority of the other 50 state say the two can not be more then 1000 to 2000 feet together.

jenilouise · 07-01-2009, 11:00 PM

I know that is why I got so livid. My kids don't go to that center and they won't now that I read that but some of the kids we know do go there. If I recall correctly the Arts school my daughter wants to go to is in that same area as well. Plus it's near the fairgrounds- the hub of activity. That aces the fair out this year. There are much better places to put these guys (my own opinion- electric chair but I am biased.) We have way out places away from the general public. This is ridiculous and a horrible tragedy waiting to happen.

Mark · 07-02-2009, 03:01 AM

Originally Posted by jenilouise

OSU Extension Service Staff Chair Steve Dodrill said Tuesday afternoon that parents never asked about the location, so it was never brought up.

Now this is the most rediculous comment ever made in the history of mankind. Because the parents never asked they weren't told? This person needs to lose his job. What a moron.

My answer to the original question is Hell No! I would never allow my children to be in a facility that is that close to sex offenders. Whoever thought this was alright really needs to be held responsible for moving the sex offenders elsewhere. And that needs to happen NOW, not in a year like it sounds will happen.

Someone I know found out that there was a sex offender living in their neighborhood and the home was within 800 feet of the nearest school. Michigan law says they cannot be closer than 1,000 feet. When she went to the school district to inform them, they thought it was no big deal. The police also took the issue lightly. It was not until she involved the media that something was done about it and the sex offender was forced to move. It is insane how far people have to go to get justice in this country.

jenilouise · 07-02-2009, 03:38 AM

Oh heads need to roll. You shouldn't need to ASK if a sex offender is near an area where your children play.

BillLinn · 07-02-2009, 06:18 PM

Hey Everyone:

Im the parent behind this movement to get this Sex Offender Facility moved! Thanks for all your support. If anyone lives in the EUGENE, oregon area, please contact me at 541 935 1279

Thanks and spread the word!

BL

Fallon · 07-02-2009, 07:10 PM

Thanks for chiming in Bill

jenilouise · 07-02-2009, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by BillLinn

Hey Everyone:

Im the parent behind this movement to get this Sex Offender Facility moved! Thanks for all your support. If anyone lives in the EUGENE, oregon area, please contact me at 541 935 1279

Thanks and spread the word!

BL

Bill- I am in the area and will contact you shortly.

jenilouise · 07-02-2009, 08:24 PM

I contacted Bill and he has several ideas on how to fix this. I am going to help any way I can. Keep us in your thoughts guys and I'll keep you posted.

07-01-2009, 01:53 PM	#1
jenilouise 4 1/2 feet of fury! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oregon Age: 30 Posts: 5,999 My Mood: Rep Power: 70 Reputation: 287 Children Isabella (11), Josephine (10), Hannah (8), Natalia (2), and Sophia (infant)	Would you let your kids play here? I'll post the article and explain my opinions later. Kids play feet away from Lane County sex offender treatment facility Story Published: Jun 30, 2009 at 5:06 PM PDT By Kim Quintero KVAL News Video EUGENE, Ore. - Sex offenders are receiving treatment in an office right next to a Eugene youth program. The OSU/Lane County Extension Service hosts events for 4-H kids throughout the year. It has been adjacent to the treatment center on West 13th and Adams Street for more than a decade, but some parents are finding out for the first time. "I was furious. I have never seen a more irresponsible act by a government - ever," said Bill Linn, parent. For years, Linn brought his kids to the center near the Lane County Fairgrounds for dances, meetings and fairs. "And never once has it been disclosed that this is a sex offender facility in the same building," said Linn. It wasn't until Monday afternoon, Linn said, that a child wandered to the door of the treatment facility and was asked by a staff member to leave. "And the parent was taken aback by the fact that 'what were they talking to my kid for? Can't they just run around in the parking lot at the extension facility?' " said Linn. "And they really can't." Lane County's Behavioral Health Services Manager Al Levine, who oversees the treatment facility, said Tuesday afternoon that he was not aware children's events were hosted on site and did not know why the facilities were in such close proximity to each other. He also said there's a law enforcement presence and the offenders are always supervised, so they've never had a problem coexisting. "If I was a parent, which I am, and my kid was going to 4-H activities, I'd be asking 4-H what kind of supervision they're providing," said Levine. OSU Extension Service Staff Chair Steve Dodrill said Tuesday afternoon that parents never asked about the location, so it was never brought up. He added he's confident that children are safe at all of their activities. "We have people here who are supervising any type of 4-H event that goes on," said Dodrill. "I just think that we've put the facility in the wrong place, and I would rather tell you now, than have to tell you later that some child was abused or that someone fell off the wagon and was there," said Linn. Levine expects the treatment facility to be moved into a renovated space on Charnelton in downtown Eugene in about a year. __________________

07-01-2009, 02:16 PM	#2
Fallon who needs sleep.... Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Michigan Age: 28 Posts: 5,197 Rep Power: 62 Reputation: 281 Children Debralyn, logan, and Madeline	I would not allow my child to attend anything there after finding out there was a treatment center in the same building...there is just to much risk involved for me __________________ SAH mommy to Debralyn 10-21-02 and Bubba (Logan) 3-19-07 Madeline 07-10-09

07-01-2009, 04:47 PM	#3
RaisingHavoc NowParenting Addict Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Woods, AZ Age: 35 Posts: 1,184 My Mood: Rep Power: 20 Reputation: 272 Children Havoc 3 DD 6	How is that even possible? We moved from a neighborhood that had 3 sex offenders within walking distance. Two of them were against kids. I'd have a meltdown and pickette(?) infront of the facility. You NEVER put sex offenders and kids in the same area. Would you put a bar on either side of the AA office? Oregan law....The Department of Correction decides where and how close a sex offender can live to a school or daycare center based on a decision matrix. The majority of the other 50 state say the two can not be more then 1000 to 2000 feet together. __________________ Married since '05, DD age 6, Havoc 3 “You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around - and why his parents will always wave back.” -William D. Tammeus

07-01-2009, 11:00 PM	#4
jenilouise 4 1/2 feet of fury! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oregon Age: 30 Posts: 5,999 My Mood: Rep Power: 70 Reputation: 287 Children Isabella (11), Josephine (10), Hannah (8), Natalia (2), and Sophia (infant)	I know that is why I got so livid. My kids don't go to that center and they won't now that I read that but some of the kids we know do go there. If I recall correctly the Arts school my daughter wants to go to is in that same area as well. Plus it's near the fairgrounds- the hub of activity. That aces the fair out this year. There are much better places to put these guys (my own opinion- electric chair but I am biased.) We have way out places away from the general public. This is ridiculous and a horrible tragedy waiting to happen. __________________

07-02-2009, 03:38 AM	#6
jenilouise 4 1/2 feet of fury! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oregon Age: 30 Posts: 5,999 My Mood: Rep Power: 70 Reputation: 287 Children Isabella (11), Josephine (10), Hannah (8), Natalia (2), and Sophia (infant)	Oh heads need to roll. You shouldn't need to ASK if a sex offender is near an area where your children play. __________________

07-02-2009, 06:18 PM	#7
BillLinn New Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0 Reputation: 46 Children Jeff, 11, Annalisa 8	Hey Everyone: Im the parent behind this movement to get this Sex Offender Facility moved! Thanks for all your support. If anyone lives in the EUGENE, oregon area, please contact me at 541 935 1279 Thanks and spread the word! BL

07-02-2009, 07:10 PM	#8
Fallon who needs sleep.... Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Michigan Age: 28 Posts: 5,197 Rep Power: 62 Reputation: 281 Children Debralyn, logan, and Madeline	Thanks for chiming in Bill __________________ SAH mommy to Debralyn 10-21-02 and Bubba (Logan) 3-19-07 Madeline 07-10-09

07-02-2009, 08:24 PM	#10
jenilouise 4 1/2 feet of fury! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oregon Age: 30 Posts: 5,999 My Mood: Rep Power: 70 Reputation: 287 Children Isabella (11), Josephine (10), Hannah (8), Natalia (2), and Sophia (infant)	I contacted Bill and he has several ideas on how to fix this. I am going to help any way I can. Keep us in your thoughts guys and I'll keep you posted. __________________

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