NE- Sex offender removed from mental health center

It doesn't get more stupid than this, notice what has been highlighted; 75 feet is going to make a difference, and aiding and abetting? These folks need a life and should recognize he was in that facility for a reason which they have ignored. Safer on the streets?
3-2-2008 Nebraska:

A convicted sex offender in Blue Hill is causing some concern Friday night. People there are worried he is living too close to a pre–school.

42–year–old Michael Basil Bollen is a registered sex offender. For the past few months he has been living at the Belle Amis Mental Health Center.

The facility is just down the street from a pre–school, close enough that concerned citizens say Bollen is breaking the law.

Michael Basil Bollen is a level three registered sex offender. That makes him a high risk to re–offend.

For the past four months he has been living at the Belle Amis. This has some people worried.

"With a registered sex offender loose in the community it shows some real dangers there for the community," said Andy Alber of Blue Hill.

Just down the street from the Belle Amis is New Beginnings Pre–School.
State and city law say registered sex offenders cannot live within 500 feet of a school, so some parents checked out the distance.

"Last night we took a tape measure and we measured it off and it is less than 500 feet. In fact, 425 feet from one building to the other," Alber said.

Andy Alber says he and others called authorities asking for Bollen to be arrested.

But a month went by with no results.

However, Thursday night, Belle Amis officials learned the Webster County Sheriff's Department planned to arrest Bollen.

"I did not want him arrested because he has been doing so well, stable, I felt arrest would only jeopardize his mental health condition, so I felt it was in his best interest to find another facility," said Belle Amis Administrator Laura Downing.

Just Friday afternoon, the Belle Amis moved Bollen.

"He left our facility after lunch today with tears in his eyes and our residents were tearful," Downing said. "He had told me this was the first time in years he felt accepted and he felt stable and that he could do well."

The Belle Amis has a policy of not accepting sex offenders, but they say Bollen slipped through the cracks.

"That is definitely gonna be something we look into for admission, do more detailed questions to make sure we do not do this again," said Downing.

"I think aiding and abetting charges should be filed against the administrator of the facility as well as the state for violating state statute and city ordinance," Alber said.

The Belle Amis wanted to emphasize they do not house sex offenders, and that safety is their number one priority.

They say they have turned away several people in the past who were registered sex offenders.

As for Bollin, they would not say where he was transferred - only that it was out of Blue Hill. ..more.. by Robert Price