100+ citizens outraged by sex offender house pack council. Can anything be done?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kennewick council backed residents and planned a public town hall and resolution.
- WA state law limits city; officials will coordinate safety but can't block site.
- Opposition activists cite neighborhood risk and call for relocation.
Kennewick City Council voiced its support for a group opposed to a sex offender house due scheduled to open this summer on the corner of 8th and Edison streets.
More than 100 concerned citizens packed council chambers for Tuesday night’s regular meeting, and it was standing-room only as more than a dozen people urged the city to intervene.
The city plans a town hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, at Highlands Middle School (425 S. Tweedt St.). City staff, 8th Legislative District lawmakers, and representatives from the Washington Department of Social and Health Services and the Department of Corrections will be there to answer questions.
The “less restrictive alternative” housing project would be a first for Benton and Franklin counties. About four or five individuals formerly held at McNeil Island are expected to occupy the newly purchased house on the 5300 block of 8th Avenue.
The program is a court-ordered treatment in a setting that’s less restrictive than McNeil Island’s total confinement facility. The men from the special commitment center — on an island in South Puget Sound, near Steilacoom — have been treated for mental health issues that make them more likely to offend again.
“I am encouraged by the number of people that are supporting each other as we go through this tough experience,” said Mayor Jason McShane, who said he will attend next week’s “critical” town hall.
City Manager Erin Erdman said she would ask staff to draft a resolution on its concerns based on the city council’s comments. That would come back to the body by Feb. 3 at the earliest for a vote.
“I feel for everyone who’s affected by this,” said Councilman Loren Anderson. “I think it is a significant issue that definitely warrants a lot more discussion and effort on our city’s part to protect our community. I agree that it seems like there was a lack of transparency, and almost an effort to sneak this by everybody.”
KPD dedicated to ‘keep our community safe’
On Monday, about 100 neighbors and their children rallied along Edison Street, waving signs in protest of the house.
Despite calls by the public for the city to move the project out of the neighborhood and into a commercial zone, there’s little that the council and staff can do to halt it.
Erdman said it was a “very sensitive topic and a concern that should be and is being taken very seriously.”
About 56 sex offenders already live in the city of Kennewick, according to Benton County’s registry. About 10 of them are listed as “transient.”
Police Chief Chris Guerrero said police are limited by state law from prohibiting or restricting the site of this type of housing beyond what already is outlined in state law. He said he is also in regular contact with Joe Field, who plans to operate the program.
“While the opening of this facility is out of our city’s control, we will continue to do all we can to mitigate safety concerns and keep our community safe. That’s a commitment our city will make to each and every one of you, and will continue to make that a priority,” Guerrero said.
Field previously told the Herald that the men will largely be confined to the house and a small fenced backyard, and neighbors won’t see the men living there.
He runs a similar housing project in Walla Walla, and says he’s had no problems there. He said the homes are regularly inspected by the state, and the home in Kennewick will be monitored by 24 cameras and the offenders must wear GPS ankle monitors.
The people released from civil commitment at McNeil already have served prison sentences and spent time in treatment before they are OK’d for release to the monitored half-way homes.
Janette Romero, an organizer with “Save Our Children Tri-Cities,” said she is skeptical of Field’s claims and of how he operates the Walla Walla house. GPS ankle monitors are not foolproof, and can easily lose signal or break, she argued.
It’s unclear how many individuals from McNeil go on to reoffend. In recent years, Washington state has been increasingly releasing more sexually violent predators from the 7-square-mile island, said a 2024 Seattle Times report.
While Field says there has just been two cases within the past 20 years, both of which were non-violent offenses, the Times investigation found about one in seven went on to reoffend in a serious or violent manner.
If Field’s numbers on reoffending are correct, Romero said at the meeting, that’s two too many.
McNeil Island releasing more predators
To be released, experts from the state, prosecution and defense need to determine that it’s safe.
The group says the less restrictive alternative housing poses a serious public safety risk to the family neighborhood, lacks appropriate infrastructure for those living there and places an “unfair burden on law-abiding residents.”
It’s a high-traffic area for pedestrians and students attending Edison Elementary School, Highlands Middle School and Legacy and Kamiakin high schools.
The location is also near homeschool and private school programs, the group says, and at least three women living within 500 feet are survivors of rape.
The Kennewick School District in a statement last week said it was examining walking routes, and were encouraging families to review safety plans and speak with their children about being cautious and how to report concerns.
The proposed house is a half-mile from Edison Elementary.
Residents who spoke out Tuesday say they’ve walked paces to local parks, schools and pools, and say it’s just too much of a risk.
Luis Godinez, 48, of Kennewick, was the final commenter who spoke. He said he brought his children to the council meeting to show them the process of how civic engagement works.
“I just want to remind you, before you go home today, that’s the reason we’re doing this,” he said, gesturing to his children. “It’s the future of our community. I hope my children get a good experience, and at the end of this we’re all happy with the outcome. But I want to remind you, it’s for them that we’re all here today.”
-Herald reporter Cameron Probert contributed to this report.
This story was originally published January 21, 2026 at 10:47 AM.
