Staying safe in an unsafe world
Nancy Butterfield
A special report on registered sex offenders living near our Temple

The issue seems to pose a special challenge for us as Buddhists: How do we balance our compassion for troubled and suffering persons with the need to keep ourselves and our children safe from them when they are dangerous? This question has taken on a new urgency with the recent notification from the Tacoma Police Department that a registered Level 3 (most likely to re-offend) Sex Offender has moved to the 1700 block of South Fawcett Avenue. The Tacoma Buddhist Temple is located at 1717 South Fawcett, and the sex offender, Terry P. Hove, is believed to be living across the street.

In 2001 Hove was convicted in Pierce County of burglary and voyeurism, according to the News Tribune. His criminal history includes convictions for indecent liberties, first-degree child rape, molestation and assault, Tacoma police reported.

Hove was expelled from the sex offender treatment program when he refused to adhere to the treatment protocol, police reported.

Upon learning of Hove’s relocation close to the Temple, Temple President Bob Nakayama met with University of Washington Tacoma police officials to discuss ways in which the Sangha members may be assured of safety. It was then that he was informed that a total of 81 registered sex offenders are living within a half-mile radius of the Temple. The University of Washington police department shares jurisdiction with the City of Tacoma police department in the area designated as the University of Washington Tacoma campus.

Sangha members have long been aware that the Tacoma Buddhist Temple is situated in a high-crime urban area. Previous residents of the Temple parsonage reported open drug dealing and noisy altercations taking place almost nightly in the alley behind the Temple property. More than one Temple member has been the victim of a car break-in, most recently in broad daylight during an afternoon service.

But the advent of sex-offender registration has quantified the danger as never before. A check of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department website on Feb. 25 indicates that 89 registered sex offenders live within a half mile of the Temple, probably reflecting that the site has been updated since the University of Washington official last saw it. The list comprises seven Level 3 offenders (those most likely to reoffend); 18 Level 2 offenders; and 64 Level 1 (posing the least risk to society) offenders. The website, at http//pso.co.pierce.wa.us enables viewers to see the list of registered sex offenders living near any address, and to read the criminal history and see a photo and description of each offender.

Bob Nakayama believes it is important that Sangha members do not allow fear to discourage us from participating Temple activities, but that everyone needs to adopt a higher level of alertness and caution as we come and go, particularly for the many evening meetings.

After meeting with UWT police officials, Bob said there are several commonsense steps we all can take to stay safe:

• Keep children within your sight at all times. Don’t allow them to play outside without an adult present.
• From the time they could first speak, Temple children have recited “We will all be friendly to everyone.” Make sure they understand that some people are dangerous and should not be answered or trusted.
• Especially at night, when you arrive at Temple, remain in your locked car until you visually scan the area. If you see strangers sitting in a car or lurking about, wait until people you know arrive at the Temple and walk in with them.
• Share rides to Temple activities. There’s safety in numbers.
• Keep belongings out of sight inside your car and always keep it locked.
• Trust your instincts. If a situation doesn’t “feel” safe, it probably isn’t.
• Don’t hesitate to call 911 if you need to.
  

Because Temple members generally are a savvy group, most people already observe many of the above precautions. But it’s always good to think about our routines and ways to improve our safety awareness.

It is easy to write off these offenders as simply evil people, deserving of our disdain and contempt. To develop compassion for them is challenging. Sometimes by thinking of each of them as little children, and reflecting on the terrible mistreatment, abuse and neglect that most of them suffered growing up, our hearts can open to understanding the root causes of their actions.

Psychologists say that sex offenders almost always were abused themselves as children, and their antisocial behaviors are an unsuccessful way to cope with the devastating shame, humiliation and self-hatred they live with. They provide a vivid illustration of the pain and suffering that is caused by ignorance, greed and anger, and the endless vicious cycle they can perpetuate.

How fortunate most of us have been to have had parents and others in our lives who did their best to teach, guide and protect us as we were growing up. How grateful we can be that the causes and conditions in our lives have led us to be followers of The Buddha, and that we and our families have comfortable homes with enough food to eat and a warm place to sleep at night.

In gassho,
Nancy Butterfield