Update on Sex Offenders

On July 30, 2007, Rep. Doug Ericksen (R- Ferndale), the second highest ranking Republican in the House, called on the Governor to convene a special session in September to enact more stringent sex offender laws. This was in response to the July 4 abduction and murder of 12 year-old Zina Linnik in Tacoma, allegedly by a convicted sex offender.

Legislative committees will meet in September in preparation for the 2008 session and to get updates on issues and bills enacted last session. However, the Legislature will not be "in session." That may only occur with action by the Governor.

In response, the Governor directed Kitsap Prosecutor Russ Hauge to lead a team of experts to review the facts of the case. Because substantial changes have been made to the sex offender laws in the last several years, the Governor has also requested the committee to review how this case might have been handled differently if the current system had been in place when the suspect, Terapon Adhahn, was initially convicted, treated and supervised. The Governor has directed completion of that review by September 4.

In the second phase of the review, the group will take the "lessons learned" from their review and determine if policy or law changes are needed. This second phase is expected to be complete in early October 2007. The Governor will then decide if a special session is needed.

In addition to consideration of formalizing this review process, other ideas for improving sex offender supervision currently under consideration are expansion of Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking devices and collection of a DNA sample at the time every sex offender is required to register with the sheriff. Other law or system changes are likely to be considered after the Governor’s workgroup efforts are complete.

AWC also continues to make progress on its work to improve the statewide standard that applies to where sex offenders may reside. While current law prohibits local governments from enacting ordinances that restrict where sex offenders may live, we continue to work with stakeholders to consider improving the state law that restricts certain sex offenders from living within 880 feet of a public or private school. Under consideration is an expansion of the 880 foot rule to other facilities, such as parks. This work must be completed by December 31, 2007.

Gang Task Force

The 2007 Legislature passed SSB 5987, charging the Washington Association of Sheriff and Police Chiefs with staffing a statewide group to evaluate the issue of gang-related crime in Washington State and making recommendations to the Legislature regarding the creation of a statewide gang information database, possible reforms to the juvenile justice system for gang-related juvenile offenses, best practices for prevention and intervention of youth gang membership, and the adoption of legislation authorizing a civil anti-gang injunction.

The group met for the first time in Yakima at the end of July. It is jointly chaired by Senator Jim Clements (R-Selah) and Rep. Chris Hurst (D-Green Water). After a morning of meeting together as a committee to determine how best to approach the work, the group heard from nearly 100 concerned citizens in Yakima and the surrounding cities during a community forum. Comments ranged from citizens telling their stories of having property destroyed by suspected gang members and parents expressing concern about their children’s future, to members calling for harsher sentences for youth and more positive activities to occupy their time.

The group will divide its work into two sub-committees to consider Prevention & Intervention and Suppression (Civil and Criminal). Meetings are scheduled in five more cities. Those dates are:

Thursday, August 23, and Friday, August 24 in Bellingham
Monday, September 10, and Tuesday, September 11 in Spokane
Monday, October 15, and Tuesday, October 16 in Vancouver
Thursday, November 8, and Friday, November 9 in Tacoma
Monday, December 10, and Tuesday, December 11 in SeaTac

As of this writing, the intent is to hear from community members at each meeting. We would encourage your participation in those meetings, and will forward further information as it becomes available.

Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Grant Information

On July 18, 2007, Department of Commerce and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new FFY07 Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) grant program. Washington State will receive $19.2 million to assist public safety agencies in the acquisition of, deployment of, or training for the use of interoperable communications systems that utilize or enable interoperability with 700 MHz band.

The Washington Military Department will apply for this grant on behalf of the state of Washington, which must be submitted by November 1, 2007. The Washington State Patrol (WSP) has been designated by the Military Department to coordinate the application development process. The Department of Information Services has been designated to create the Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan (SCIP) that is also a required part of this grant program.

The WSP has invited cities and other public safety stakeholders to participate in the development of the SCIP and the development of the statewide application under the PSIC grant program. They will be holding two workshops, August 22 and early September, to facilitate this process.

There are still many unanswered questions about how the projects will be solicited, how they will be ranked, and how they will be prioritized for submission. The WSP will be working closely with the State Interoperable Executive Committee (SIEC) to identify that process and will keep stakeholders updated.

Materials related to the draft timeline for the SCIP development, registration materials for the August workshop, and the application/investment justification process are available at http://isb.wa.gov/committees/siec/psic_scip.aspx. In addition to this information, the official federal guidance and some frequently asked questions are available at www.ntia.doc.gov.

Please contact Arel Solie (arel.solie@wsp.wa.gov) or Sharon Wallace (sharon.wallace@wsp.wa.gov) for additional information.

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