Posted on 04/30/2008 9:09:27 AM PDT by XR7
SNOHOMISH — The patch under the bridge is closed in by brambles. Rodent tracks crisscross in the dirt. It may be dry, but still it's not fit for human habitation.
Unless you're a sex offender, that is.The underside of the 88th Street bridge, near this river town's greenhouses and horse farms, is where state government last week assigned a released rapist to sleep.
David J. Torrence, who assaulted a 16-year-old girl in 1995, had completed his latest prison term (for failing to register as a sex offender.) He had no place to go. So officials gave him a sleeping bag and a rain poncho, then told him to stay under this bridge, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., until further notice.
"We're not proud of it," says Mary Rehberg, parole officer for the state Department of Corrections. "We did it because this is what it has come to. Under a bridge is the best of the options we had left."
That we're now storing sex offenders under bridges is hardly the worst thing to happen in the long struggle over sex crimes. Not compared with what happened to the victims.
But it is a sign of a looming breakdown. There's got to be a better way.
Nobody wants sex offenders around. It can be infuriating to see taxes spent on their treatment or care. But putting them under bridges, like trolls? Set aside whether that's inhuman. It's about the worst outcome possible, for public safety.
Torrence was released from state prison at Monroe on April 20. He is a Level 3 — high risk for reoffending. He is not deemed so dangerous, or his crimes so serious, that he qualifies to be locked up longer.
Rehberg tried for months to find him a place to live.
He's barred by local ordinance...
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
That post has a lot of upsetting information in it. Why isn’t he back in on parole violation? That’s what cutting the bracelet was, a violation of his parole.
Mine is a Glock 30. He teases me that he should have got me a Colt instead...but I’m very happy with my Glock, and just took the CCW proficiency test with my new toy! I got a 242 out of a possible 250 :D
Oh...and congrats on your new toy and happy Anniversary!
Gee, any idiot could have figured he would run...
Could you imagine having to live under a bridge? Far better to run and find a real place to live.
What is the worst that can happen?
They will arrest you and give you a safe, warm dry place to stay and three meals a day.
Happy Birthday & Congratulations!
I haven’t taken taken my CHL class yet, but I hope I do as well as you did!
Carolyn
He's a troll playing hide and seek. His next target should give him a drawer in the morgue to hide in.
They have a warrant out for his arrest. He is currently a fugitive.
Maybe they hope someone will go down to this bridge and put paid to this monsters debt to society.
They publish his crime and his location during the hours of darkness, sure sounds like they want him taken out.
Thank you! My birthday is actually today, but I got the present several weeks ago so I could be practicing with it for Sunday’s class.
I’m sure you will do wondfully when you take your class...just don’t allow your anxiety to affect your aim!
Thank you Carolyn!
Hugs!!
I got a wonderful present that I will always treasure. (It’s my favorite!!)
I hope they plaster his picture everywhere.
I would like to see his picture with the caption:
Wanted...alive or dead...reward offered
Works for me...you think he’s worth maybe $50, $100? Certainly no more than a box of ammo...
I'm impressed, congrats!
Happy B’day Tracy! Legs and I were supposed to get together over Fiesta...maybe Cinco de Mayo...
:o(
Thanks for posting - the name sounded familiar. On the news a few nights ago the reporter asked one of the county people how he was able to get the GPS bracelet off. The following was what I recall from their conversation:
The county gal said “he cut it off”.
“With, like, a hacksaw?”
“No - a scissors can cut them off”
“A scissors!!???”
“Well, yes - but it is better than nothing.”
I believe there are probably many who would find that an appropriate reward!
We have one of these near our house. $8M bridge and it’s a homeless shelter
Thank you!! I really enjoyed the class!
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