Houston Avenue Neighborhood Meeting: Result of Concern About Proximity to Offender Re-Entry Program

The S. Houston Avenue Neighborhood Meeting, sponsored by East Wenatchee Police Department, was standing room only in the East Wenatchee council chambers as neighbors gathered to hear about the Department of Corrections (DOC) and offender re-entry program. The meeting stems from concern from neighbors after a house on Houston Street was found to be used for the program.

"This is an early release and re-entry program that the state DOC has in place if they release inmates like three months early for good behavior," said Police Chief Tom Robbins. "They coordinate with and contract with local people that have housing that fits the criteria that they follow and they place inmates in those houses."

The meeting was a chance for residents near Houston Street to hear from officials directly about the program.

"My concerns are safety concerns and no protections for the residents or future people that want to relocate to the city of East Wenatchee," said Graham Grant, resident. "They have no regulatory authority on any land use regulations, any growth management issues. So right now anybody that moves here and buys a house is not protected for what's going to be placed near them."