FORT CALHOUN, Neb. (WOWT) – Concerns have been raised over a registered sex offender who is living in an assisted living community in Fort Calhoun.
A few people connected to those living in the community are questioning whether or not the arrangement is legal.
There are 48 apartments for seniors at the Autumn Pointe Assisted Living Services. One of those units is occupied by a registered sex offender, but the company officials said no one living in the community is at risk.
Amy Wilcox Burns works for Dimensions in Senior Living, the company that owns the assisted living community in Fort Calhoun. She said she understands the concern.
“Oh a hundred percent, a hundred percent what I would tell you is we wouldn’t have admitted this gentleman if it had been something illegal and if we had concerns for our residents, our staff and the community,” Burns said.
Dave Woodard has a friend that lives in the complex, and doesn’t think it’s ok.
“I think it’s terrible, ’cause to be in a place like this where they’re treating people decently and you got somebody in there that’s like, I don’t know, it’s a danger hiding in a bad corner,” he said.
Well…on one hand the reporter didnt drop his name in the article so at least that was respectful.
On the other hand, the reporter failed to throw out any real recidivism statistics to show the slim chance of something happening and also didnt explain the original crime to see if it even warrants fear. That just perpetuates the notion that anyone with the sex offender label must be a contact repeat sexual predator. The average person doesnt believe the government would stick such a derogatory label on a person that wasnt an extreme danger to society.
Same old nonsense.
People who are living in Amerika need to mind their own business and leave other families alone. In every way. Mind their own business and stop having opinions about everything, of which they know less than nothing.
This type of stuff is what the Registries are for. They have nothing to do with public safety or protecting children. They are for gossip and harassment.
wtf
where are those that need assisted living supposed to live then? this is maddening.
“I think it’s terrible, ’cause to be in a place like this where they’re treating people decently and you got somebody in there that’s like, I don’t know, it’s a danger hiding in a bad corner,” he said.
^Exactly why this whole criminal scheme by politicians needs to be abolished: because people’s brains haven’t evolved to know better, since everything is taken at face value, because ‘thinking hurts the brain’ for the vast majority of US citizens.
Well then, let’s force the RC out of the facility where he has been deemed safe by the faculty and legal by the statute and let him live homeless on the street in front of Dave Woodard’s house… will he like that better?
We can presume the registrant is elderly and has health issues severe enough that he can’t care for himself if he’s living there. In stories like this, I’d like to see reporters ask people like Dave Woodard, exactly what kind of threat does the registrant pose? What specifically is the “danger hiding in a bad corner”?
The notion that his mere presence is dangerous is simply idiotic. The other residents are in more danger from vigilantes going after him and hitting someone else by mistake than from the registrant.
Well stated! They should kick him out and make him homeless? Arrest him? Execute him? Put him on a desert island? As I have mentioned before, have you ever sat in a court room and watched a days proceedings? It’s shocking to know how many crimes, arrrsts and convictions occur daily! It’s time to wake up and realize nobody is perfect. This man paid his debt to society, obviously complies with the laws and is simply trying to live! It’s shocking. This is clearly why people need to be able to get off the registry. I can maybe understand how someone could be required to register for maybe 5-10 years if they are out of control, but come on!
It’s mostly the “yuck and ick” factor that make people feel weary and uncomfortable.
To those people I say, TOO F***ING BAD! FIND A WAY TO LIVE WITH IT.
The only thing of any value Mr. Woodard said was, “…I don’t know…”
I think we can all agree with you there, Woody.
What timing. This morning I was just thinking of my elderly father who will soon require in-home care and how I’ll be in the same situation if I live long enough. The difference is the added burden of the registry and the problems it creates for family. If they put me in a home, they’ll have to find one that will accept me. If they keep me in my home, or theirs, they’ll have those associated issues. This shit is a drag right up until the bitter effing end.
What happens now for registrants who are infirmed? Are they wheeled into the police station in their chairs or hospital beds with life aupport gear in tow? Or do the cops make a house call in their tactical gear? I’m imagining the strokes and heart attacks incurred by the other residents when the Jack Boots kick in the doors to Shady Acres to verify 97-year old Harold, with 1962 conviction for indeecent exposure, is still kicking.
All the more reason to GTFO of this country while I’m still a virile young man in his 50s before I end up like poor Harold.
End of Rant.
I worked at a high end facility in Saratoga Ca. As a therapist. There were 2 RSOs living on the campus ( Saratoga Retirement is a continuing care facility). One was in independent living and one was in assisted living.
The state board said I was a “danger to vulnerable populations” with a misdemeanor C.P. Charge, but the RSOs were both felony child molestors and nothing was said, and you want to know why?
Because each one spent over $7000 / month to live there and the state or facility couldn’t boot them without all hell breaking loose. Money gets people to turn their heads.
When I brought this up to the residents, they went to management and petitioned against my release, saying it was unfair to treat two people differently.
Here we have a 70 year old man with a 1997 conviction date who therefore hasn’t reoffended in 22 years ! We are addressing this issue now. Thank you ACSOL for posting this, and all the great and caring comments.
Just so people know,
California Code, Health and Safety Code – HSC § 1564 (a) No individual who has ever been convicted of a sex offense against a minor shall reside in a community care facility that is within one mile of an elementary school.
I do not know of anything that could keep the state from enforcing this law at this time. In Re Taylor has no effect on this statute. It is challenged in my case.
? I think we need to pray for this man! I think it’s almost funny and disturbing to hear people cite case law? I register, but I also live a normal life and stay positive. I would probably contact a great civil attorney, if I was this man and note what I might do if legal action takes place. He should be left alone, unless he is this out of control repeat offender! I would simply ignore the neighbors and file a harassment suite should something arise via a neighbor! Good luck and unless your a lawyer or paralegal, NONE of you should be providing any legal advice!! I wish this man all the luck in the world.
Man I have to say it. Here USA goes again. LMAO… How about you should not be telling others what they should or should not be doing. Hypocritical statements in one sentence. 4 degrees??? scary…
In CA,
Community Care Facilities (CCFs) are licensed by the Community Care Licensing Division of the State Department of Social Services to provide 24-hour non-medical residential care to children and adults with developmental disabilities who are in need of personal services, supervision, and/or assistance essential for self-protection or sustaining the activities of daily living.
NM USA, you have just as much right to make your statements as anyone else has theirs. Have a great day.
Seems a little like trolling to me, but if that’s your lifestyle, and what 4 degrees gets you, go for it. Seems like a lot of time and money spent to sit around trolling, but whatever, to each their own.
I guess no pro se have ever been successful according to USA’s logic.
To all who don’t agree…tell me how I am suppose to handle this situation
88 year old grandfather, offended THIRTY years ago, never a re-offender yet still required to register. Needs dementia care and more care than I can possibly give him. Walks with a walker, wears depends, needs medications administered for him, increasing hospital visits and health concerns.
In the state he currently lives his charges are SO OLD that they can’t even be located. He lives 1700 miles away from me and is able to be in assisted living where he is. I NEED him to be closer for health and welfare…yet I have to register him as a “new offender” if I move him to my state.
8 out of 8 assisted living with memory care have denied me for being honest about a 30 year old charge. Yes he did time…5 years. Even with that it’s been 25 years ago! He is not a threat to anyone…heck he can’t even stand up straight or walk without a walker any more.
Tell me where am I suppose to send him when everyone says NO. Oh wait…I did find one that said yes. It’s the one with more complaints than I could read through.
So over it…