Lawmakers united behind prosecutors, police and victims' advocates

More money for local police to check on released sex offenders, more support for victims and better information for citizens

January 10, 2008

OLYMPIA -- How can we best protect our kids and families against sex offenders?

"Tough laws aren't effective without police and prosecutors," said Majority Leader Lynn Kessler (D-Hoquiam). "Victims aren't comforted by words in law books, but by justice and real support. We made a choice years ago to work hand-in-hand with police, prosecutors and victims' advocates to protect more families."

Kessler spoke at a press event that included police, prosecutors and victim advocates in support of seven recommendations that resulted from the Sex Offender Task Force that Gov. Gregoire appointed in 2007.

"We want to do what works to protect our kids," said Rep. Al O'Brien (D-Mountlake Terrace), chair of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and a retired police sergeant. "As the task force reported, our laws are plenty tough. If you commit a violent sex crime in Washington state today, you're on the hook for life in prison. The Zina Linnick case shows the real problem is sex offenders who got convicted in 1975 or 1985 or 1995 and served their time. New laws alone can't watch them. You need boots on the ground. You need more men and women wearing badges."

Also at the event: Kitsap County Prosecutor Russ Hauge, who chaired the task force, Thurston County Sheriff Dan Kimball and Tulalip Police Chief Scott Smith -- both members of the task force -- along with victims' advocates Mary Ellen Stone and Lonnie Johns-Brown.

"There’s been a big focus on sex offenders in recent years, but there’s been too little focus on the victims of sex offenders," said Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson (D-Seattle), chair of Human Services. “These reforms will help to change that. Most victims do not want to testify. Advocates help them through it. So getting more victims’ advocates on the job will not only help victims, it will help prosecutors, and prevent future victims."

Also at the event were Rep. Mark Ericks (D-Bothell), who worked as a police chief and detective investigating crimes against children, and Rep. Chris Hurst (D-Greenwater), vice chair of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

"I've worked as a police detective," Hurst said, "so I know how important it is to get this right. We want to maximize convictions to get sex offenders off the street so they're not hurting more victims. Courts also need to set the right conditions so we supervise offenders once they've served their time, and this works hand-in-hand with having more police and sheriff deputies monitoring offenders so they don't reoffend."