Kids play feet away from Lane County sex offender treatment facility
By Kim Quintero KVAL NewsEUGENE, 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. |
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