Neighbors concerned about home for sex offenders
CORNELIUS, Ore. - A group home for criminally insane sex offenders in Cornelius is drawing major complaints from neighbors living near the residence.
Cornelius is located on Highway 8 between Hillsboro and Forest Grove.
Officials overseeing the preparation of the residence, known as the Connell House, say they are not breaking any laws by setting up the home. They say the residents would be under supervision, including on walks through the neighborhood.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office and local representatives addressed concerns from people living nearby at a meeting Thursday night.
Neighbors are upset that the patients will be walking around without restraints and will be watched by a state employee who can only call 911 if something goes wrong.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office and local political leaders say the public was not adequately warned about the residents of the group home.
They held an informational meeting Thursday evening that drew a large crowd of concerned local residents.
"What can we do to get this house moved?" one man asked at the meeting.
Another woman in attendance said she now feels her three children are in a "pretty dangerous situation."
Cornelius city leaders are reviewing the home's land use application, claiming the home's operators failed to outline in the permit application that criminally insane predatory sex offenders would be living in the home.
However, under federal law, it is illegal to deny housing to mentally ill people. A protracted legal battle may result.
A Washington County Sheriff's Office representative said in the meantime, the agency would be stepping up patrols near the group home and they advised local residents to consider taking self-defense classes.
Cornelius is located on Highway 8 between Hillsboro and Forest Grove.
Officials overseeing the preparation of the residence, known as the Connell House, say they are not breaking any laws by setting up the home. They say the residents would be under supervision, including on walks through the neighborhood.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office and local representatives addressed concerns from people living nearby at a meeting Thursday night.
Neighbors are upset that the patients will be walking around without restraints and will be watched by a state employee who can only call 911 if something goes wrong.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office and local political leaders say the public was not adequately warned about the residents of the group home.
They held an informational meeting Thursday evening that drew a large crowd of concerned local residents.
"What can we do to get this house moved?" one man asked at the meeting.
Another woman in attendance said she now feels her three children are in a "pretty dangerous situation."
Cornelius city leaders are reviewing the home's land use application, claiming the home's operators failed to outline in the permit application that criminally insane predatory sex offenders would be living in the home.
However, under federal law, it is illegal to deny housing to mentally ill people. A protracted legal battle may result.
A Washington County Sheriff's Office representative said in the meantime, the agency would be stepping up patrols near the group home and they advised local residents to consider taking self-defense classes.
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