HomeMy WebLinkAboutBacklash stops 3 convicted rapists11/3/2016 Backlash stops 3 convicted rapists from being moved to group home in Dayton StarTribune.com
http://www.startribune.com/communitybacklashprevents3convictedrapistsfrombeingmovedtoagrouphomeindayton/399683371/1/2
STATE + LOCAL
Group home in Dayton, Minn., drops
plan to house convicted sex offenders
State is dealt another setback in releasing offenders from MSOP.
By Chris Serres (http://www.startribune.com/chris‑serres/10645926/) Star Tribune
NOVEMBER 2, 2016 — 8:10PM
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The operator of a group home in Dayton, Minn., has backed out of plans to house three
convicted rapists set for release from Minnesota’s sex offender treatment program,
dealing another setback to state efforts to move more offenders into the community.
City Council members in Dayton, a rural community of about 5,000 residents northwest
of the Twin Cities, received notice Tuesday from REM Minnesota Inc. that it will not
provide housing for the three men, who already have been cleared for conditional
release from the Minnesota Sex Offender Program (MSOP).
The decision comes after Dayton residents raised alarms about their safety last week
and the city adopted a far-reaching ordinance (http://bit.ly/2ff0vEf) that bars sex
offenders from living near a host of places where children congregate and effectively
renders more than half the city off-limits to sex offenders.
A spokeswoman for REM Minnesota issued a statement saying it would comply with the
ordinance and already had informed state officials that it would not accept the three
offenders, who had been approved for transition to the group home.
Communities across Minnesota have been rushing to pass such ordinances since a
federal judge last year ruled that the MSOP is unconstitutional and ordered the state to
develop more housing options and release offenders who no longer require confinement.
The Dayton City Council passed the sweeping ordinance, which even prevents offenders
from living near seasonal pumpkin patches and apple orchards, despite concerns that it
may draw a legal challenge.
“There is pride in how the community pulled together and how fast we were able to
respond to the situation,” said Dayton Mayor Tim McNeil. “Now, the big question is:
Did we go too far in the eyes of those who have the ability to sue us?”
The state of Minnesota is under mounting court pressure to demonstrate that it operates
a functional treatment program that provides offenders with a clear path toward
release. At the same time, communities are pushing back against a possible influx of
offenders: Roughly 50 jurisdictions statewide have enacted ordinances that restrict
where sex offenders can live.
The ordinances place the Minnesota Department of Human Services, which oversees the
MSOP, in a difficult spot. If the agency seeks community input before attempting to
move offenders, local governments can rush to pass restrictions before such a move can
occur. Yet without local outreach, the state faces criticism for being secretive.
In late September, for instance, DHS informed officials in Le Sueur County that it was
considering plans to move six MSOP offenders to a residence in Kasota Township, near
St. Peter. Neighbors barraged the owner of the fourplex with telephone calls and e-mails,
prompting him to pull out of the deal. Now the county is considering a sweeping
ordinance that would bar offenders from living near a long list of public spaces.
GO
Inmates in the Minnesota Sex Offender
Program
6 Offenders cleared for release but still in
confinement
84 Nearing approval for conditional release
723 Total number of offenders now
confined.
11/3/2016 Backlash stops 3 convicted rapists from being moved to group home in Dayton StarTribune.com
http://www.startribune.com/communitybacklashprevents3convictedrapistsfrombeingmovedtoagrouphomeindayton/399683371/2/2
“I’m all about second chances,” said Steven Rohlfing, a Le Sueur County commissioner.
“But these sexual predators took away the dignity from a lot of individuals, and it’s not
clear that they will ever recover.”
The local ordinances were quite narrow at first but have grown much broader. The
proposed ordinance in Le Sueur County, for example, would bar offenders from living
near bus stops, public trails, gyms, libraries, public beaches, hockey rinks and churches,
among other areas. Le Sueur’s ordinance would even prohibit offenders from living near
a privately owned property that is equipped for children’s play.
Critics argue that the laws force offenders into homelessness, which makes it more
difficult for law enforcement to track them. Courts in other states have struck down
residency restrictions when they too closely resemble “blanket bans” against offenders.
Even so, the laws remain largely unchallenged in Minnesota; which means a growing
number of detainees at MSOP’s secure treatment center in St. Peter who have been
cleared for release remain stuck at the facility.
Asked if it is considering a challenge to the local ordinances, DHS said in a statement:
“We face the challenge of running a constitutional program that provides safety, security
and treatment. In this effort, we cannot rule out any option prematurely.”
Twitter: @chrisserres
chris.serres@startribune.com 612‑673‑4308 chrisserres