One-strike law’s supporters gather by bike and band

OLYMPIA – Backers of a one-strike-you’re-out sex offender law are turning to bikers and bands for help.

“Eastern Washington is so on this,” said Tracy Oetting, sponsor of Initiative 921. She and supporters are trying to gather a quarter of a million voter signatures by July 7. If they do, their proposed “Dylan’s Law” – mandatory life in prison for several types of sex crimes – will go before the state’s voters this fall.

The measure is named after 9-year-old Dylan Groene, who was kidnapped and killed, allegedly by sex offender Joseph Edward Duncan III.

At 8 p.m. Thursday, supporters plan to hold a benefit concert at The Boulevard, a music club at 333 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. Patrons must be 21 or older. The $5 cover charge, Oetting said, will go to the initiative effort.

On Saturday, more than 150 motorcyclists are expected for a “Ride Out to Support Dylan’s Law” at Cruisers, a bar and grill at Stateline, Idaho. In July, the same bar held a benefit for Dylan’s sister, Shasta, who was also kidnapped but was rescued.

The noon ride starts and ends at Cruisers, with several stops to gather signatures in Spokane Valley, downtown Spokane and two shopping centers. Anyone wishing to participate in the event can call Sheri Herberholz at (509) 217-1937.

Oetting, who has twice before tried to get a one-strike law on the books, didn’t want to estimate how many signatures her volunteers have gathered so far. She did say, however, that she has about 40,000 signatures. Recent yard sale fundraisers collected about $5,000 to help cover costs.

“I feel very good,” she said. “… I truly believe that we’re doing 100 times better than we did in the past.”