LAKEWOOD — The city of Lakewood has lost a lawsuit that tried to block the state from releasing violent offenders into residential treatment facilities in the city.
The city sued the state in May to stop what it called the unsafe release of people with histories of violence or sexual offenses into roughly 90 adult homes in the city.
The News Tribune reports that Pierce County Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Martin on Friday ruled in favor of the state and dismissed Lakewood’s lawsuit. According to the city, the judge made it clear that the Legislature should decide such issues.
Lakewood Mayor Don Anderson said the state uses the homes as “an easy method” to offload violent offenders from more expensive facilities. The city is considering whether to appeal.
