The people of Coeur d' Alene are faced with two disturbing issues which can destroy residential neighborhoods: Meth labs inside homes and sexual offenders housed in residences near other homes.

A new program for these sexual offenders has also begun in Coeur d' Alene. A group of these offenders is placed in a residential "halfway house" under limited supervision and, in fact, supervision by questionable people who, themselves, sometimes have a history of sexual abuse.

While in Coeur d' Alene last week, I made it a point to observe one of these halfway houses. Together with a planning commissioner, we walked past the residence at 9:30pm in a downtown residential neighborhood. In the dark open garage, as we passed, came quiet whispers of two male voices. After we passed, the shadow of one of these men moved out of the garage crossed to the other side of the street to the corner and walked slowly down another street and into the dark night. That male was a young teen boy who had been in that garage.

The people of Coeur d' Alene, because of the national and international publicity, have a unique opportunity to address this problem of sexual abusers in their neighborhoods. There are some simple steps that can be taken immediately. First, re-define the definition of a "boarding house" in the city laws. Second, re-define the word "family" in the city laws that will prevent groups of these men gathering under the word "family" Third, demand from the authorities that these "halfway houses" be supervised by people who do not have a history themselves with sexual crimes, or better yet, prevent groups of sexual offenders from gathering together at all.

There is a group already established in Coeur d' Alene who have been working hard on this issue. Please give them support and urge your city leaders to put an end to this destructive practice that injures your residential neighborhoods.

Steve Badraun

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