OK- Shawnee residents mad over sex offender treatment center

4-24-2008 Oklahoma:

SHAWNEE — City officials said they can't prevent a sex offender treatment center from opening near a residential area, but promise to keep a close eye on its inhabitants.

City commission chambers here were packed Monday night with residents who live in the neighborhood around 1401 E Highland, where Chandler and Associates is planning to open the treatment center.

Residents voiced concerns about sex offenders being within close proximity to Horace Mann Elementary School, children who live in the area being targeted for abuse and the affect on those in the neighborhood who are former victims of abuse.

Resident Faith Jacoway said she isn't against sex offenders getting treatment, but doesn't think the center should open near a school.

"You wouldn't put an AA meeting next to a liquor store," Jacoway said.

She suggests the business find a location away from residential areas or move downtown near the police station.

Reggie Neal trembled with anger as he told commissioners he would not allow his children to play in the neighborhood where a sex offender could see them.

Another woman cried as she told the commissioners her daughter, a victim of sexual abuse, was having problems at school since her family learned the treatment center would be opening a few blocks from her house.

City Manager Jim Collard tried to cool tempers by telling the angry crowd that Chandler and Associates' owner, Holly Chandler, was now planning to put the building up for sale as soon as possible. City officials are helping her look for an alternative place to hold the treatment sessions, he said.

In the meantime, there is nothing in the law that could prevent her from temporarily opening, Collard said. The business meets the area's commercial zoning requirements and if its remodeling meets city code requirements, then she will be issued an occupancy permit, Collard said.

"I assure you the police department will monitor activity there closely," Collard said. "If one thing out of line happens, then we will do what we can to close it down immediately."

Chandler was not at the meeting, but spoke to The Oklahoman on Monday.

Chandler said the group sessions are for less than a dozen low-level sex offenders and last for one hour, once a week. She said she has been holding the classes for about 10 years at various locations in Shawnee with no complaints. She also holds similar classes in 23 counties in all.

"Now my clients are scared to come to treatment, because they think someone is going to attack them," Chandler said.

Chandler said she's sunk more than $80,000 in the building with intentions of having classes for substance abuse, sex offenders and to teach anger management.

She said she eliminated the substance abuse treatment classes after getting bad information from city officials. She said she was told the building met the required 1,000 feet distance from the school. After buying it, she learned she was 320 feet from the school and couldn't treat individuals for substance abuse.

"This whole thing is financially and emotionally devastating to me," Chandler said.

State Rep. Chris Steele, R-Shawnee, said state law prohibits sex offenders being within 300 feet of a school, park or childcare center, but it doesn't apply to medical or treatment centers that treat sex offenders.

Steele said he'll investigate amending the law to increase the distance and possibly include treatment centers.

"There is a loophole that has been raised here," Steele said. "We need to tighten that loophole." ..more.. by Ann Kelley, Staff Writer