11/14/2009 9:14:00 AM Rescue mission's welcoming stance spurs disagreement
Sex offender law provides false sense of security, Perrigan says
Pastor Will Perrigan, executive director of the Norfolk Rescue Mission, understands the good intentions behind the housing restrictions that are part of Nebraska’s sex offender registry law.
But that doesn’t mean he necessarily think the restrictions are effective or make sense.
Level III sex offenders, for example, are not allowed to live within 500 feet of a school or child care center.
“But they can work, hang out and do business during the day within 500 feet of a school or child care center. That’s when the kids are at child care centers,” he said. The arbitrariness of the 500 feet designation also is a problem. “Is there really a difference, in terms of safety, between 499 and 501 feet?” he asks. “I think it provides a false sense of security.”
The mission’s policies of keeping men and women and children segregated when sleeping and eating actually provide a safeguard, he said.
Perrigan said he will be in contact with the Norfolk Police Division and other law enforcement agencies to seek their input before any decision is made to provide housing to a Level III sex offender.
“If law enforcement officials don’t think they (particular individuals) are a good match for us here, we need to know that,” he said.
The individuals who seek housing at the mission are all informed of its zero-tolerance policies, Perrigan said.
“This may be their last option, but that doesn’t mean that it’s an easy option,” he said.
By TRISHA SCHULZ and KENT WARNEKE
The Norfolk Rescue Mission exists to provide individuals who have made poor choices in the past with an opportunity to change their lives and make better choices in the future.
But a recent development has caused some disagreement over how far to extend that welcoming ministry stance.
The disagreement revolves around whether the mission should provide housing and services to Level III sex offenders — those designated by the state as being at the highest risk of reoffending.
Larry Moenning of Norfolk said he thinks doing so will put others at the mission — vulnerable women and children, in particular — at risk.
That’s why he decided earlier this week to resign from the rescue mission board.
“My feeling is that I think the rescue mission has and continues to have a mission to provide for, among other people, women and children who are at risk. I feel strongly that allowing Level III sex offenders in close proximity to this at-risk group is not a wise thing to do. Therefore, I cannot support that decision and do not want to be a part of that,” he said.
Until last month, the rescue mission was not allowed to house Level III offenders due to its close proximity to a child care center. A City of Norfolk ordinance states that sex offenders labeled as a high risk to reoffend cannot live within 500 feet of a school or registered daycare. The ordinance specifically focuses on those termed sexual predators, meaning their criminal acts involved victims who were 18 years or younger.
But in October, it was discovered that the nearby daycare is no longer in operation. At a rescue mission board meeting earlier this week, the issue was discussed and a new policy was adopted dealing with disciplinary measures and accountability for sex offenders who live at the rescue mission, said Pastor Will Perrigan, the mission’s executive director.
“We believe all individuals ought to have an opportunity for repentance,” he said. “Jesus chose to minister to the worst of the worst. Really, in theory, the deeper you are in trouble, the more qualified you are to come to the rescue mission. Everyone here likely has made poor choices and hurt people in their lives.”
Perrigan said it’s his hope that the mission’s policies — such as segregating men from women and children when eating and sleeping — and its efforts to help individuals accept God and turn their lives around will actually translate into the best possible place for sex offenders to live.
Norfolk Police Chief Bill Mizner said there’s another aspect of the situation to consider.
If a sex offender can’t find housing in a place such as the Norfolk Rescue Mission, he or she is allowed to register as a transient with the police division. That means those individuals only have to check in with authorities once a month.
“We literally have no way of knowing where they are during that time,” he said. “I think it’s better for the community, as a whole, to have these individuals living under the more accountable guidance of the mission.”
But Moenning said he would prefer the mission to try to find a way to provide its services to high-risk sex offenders without putting others at risk.
“I don’t believe it’s a wise decision,” he said.
Moenning said other factors, more related to family matters, also contributed to his decision to resign, but they were not the primary consideration.
Moenning also said he continues to highly value the work of the rescue mission and the service done by Perrigan, other staff members and board members. “I respect where they’re coming from. They’re good people. I hope people continue to support the mission financially,” he said.
But Moenning said he’s haunted the by thought that many — not all — Level III sex offenders are a huge challenge to work with.
“People who work in this field state that this one of the most difficult areas for people to overcome their (sexual) tendencies. That certainly was involved in my thinking,” he said.
Reader Comments
Posted: Monday, November 16, 2009
Article comment by:
jen koenig
Women and children are not protected at this place with a sex offender living next door to them! For one i know of a man just kicked out of the mission for breaking the rule of engaging with a woman. So if it was easy for him to do maybe not just this one time he got caught but possible several other times then how would u as a man of God invite innocent women and children into your doors and right next to them could be the reason they came to you asking for your help? I do not as a mother agree with this i think its over the top, and i sit here and wonder how many people pass this artical and not even realize what is going on. So sad!!
