SB 911- Prioritizing Neighborhood Safety

Senator Starr introduced a bold package relating to neighborhood safety this session. SB 910 and SB 911 were a direct response to a disturbing situation that occurred in the Senator’s district two years ago. Several criminals who had been found guilty except for insanity (GEI) were transferred to a Secure Residential Treatment Facility (SRTF) in Cornelius and on conditional release by the Psychiatric Review Board (PSRB). This was a regular, residential home, in a formerly quiet, safe Cornelius neighborhood. These criminals had been found GEI on a number of charges including arson, rape, sex abuse, and murder. The Connell House became the new home of the convicted GEI individuals and they moved in before any local safety officials or local residences were notified of the decision.

Not surprisingly, members of the community were concerned and upset when they eventually found out. The Connell House had opened up with no thought or notification to the surrounding families. Then, in January 2008, Senator Starr attended a meeting on the topic along with 300 other Cornelius residents. They came to find there are other SRTF facilities around the state, housing 54 people, and with more planning to open. In the case of The Connell House, reports of drugs, sex abuse and an escape led the facility to temporarily close. But the Cornelius community members called for a more permanent answer.

Of utmost concern to Senator Starr was that the local community and law enforcement were left in the dark, and there were no defining terms for “secure” as it relates to an SRTF. We know some of these facilities have high fences, one in Oregon has a moat, and others allow the residents to walk around the community. These ambiguities led him to introduce SB 910 and SB 911. While only the second bill was enacted, it was a major victory and a big step forward for neighborhoods throughout the state. SB 911 establishes solid standards for security and staff training.