Sunday, June 20, 2010

Growing concerns (by John Liette)

By now, we all know some facts regarding Good Samaritan, Inc. John Graham is contracted to provide a temporary residence for individuals recently released from prison. This in and of itself is a very noble, gutsy cause. However, the growing concerns are the shift in nature of the program, without the notification of, let alone buy in, from the community as well as the continued expansion of the program, allowing it to take up more and more of our community.

My drive to be concerned and involved in this issue is not caused by a fear or anger over the existence of sex offenders or even the intention of the program. It is the lack of information about what is happening and the continued expansion of Good Samaritan, Inc. despite growing concern and displeasure of the community it relies upon.

According to Good Samaritan Home, Inc.’s website, the vision of the program is to “Improve Community Support for Offenders,” while noting that “Offenders who feel accepted by their community and believe they are valued members of that community are less likely to re-offend.”

Since opening his program, Mr. Graham has essentially shut himself off from the public after the initial strongly negative response he received. His site references many articles that describe the nature of the program, along with success stories and accounts of the original debate on this subject. The articles appear to end around 2004.

While browsing these articles, I found the earliest one from the Dayton Daily News most peculiar. In it, while defending his intention to open the first home, it is stated that “no one convicted of a murder, sex crime or arson is considered for Koinonia House placement.” While these offenders may not live in the Koinonia house today, I believe it is incredibly fair to say that this is misleading to the community he claims to rely on to help these individuals back on their feet. If it is true that the goal of Good Samaritan Inc. is “to involve local citizens in the rehabilitative process while clearly communicating community expectations,” why has this approach not been practiced? What exactly are our expectations? Based on the actions of the program, the expectation is to sit back and stay out of the way, while the program expands in the name of religious work.

As of 6/20/2010, there are 4 registered offenders living at 323 E Main St. which includes at least 1 that is confirmed as a tier III offender with a previous charge of Gross Sexual Imposition with a victim under the age of 13.

At 116 Ludlow, there are currently 4 registered offenders, including 2 Tier III offenders, one who committed gross sexual imposition, as well as kidnapping a minor to engage in sexual activity. This along with a tier II offender and another who has multiple offenses is a huge change from the intention described to the community in the past.

This shift in scope of the project is alarming. How quickly we have moved from no individuals convicted of sexual crimes to seemingly serving exclusively individuals convicted of sex crimes.

In addition to this, 451 E 3rd St is the Fitzpatrick House. This is another noble endeavor to provide a temporary residence to the homeless. This cause is good and is not under attack by any of the organized groups looking into this issue. There are, however, concerns about the way this is being operated as well.

While the Fitzpatrick House is labeled as a homeless shelter for “women and families” (according to the website), there is also a registered offender living there. In fact, the offender in question is a tier III offender who has convictions of abduction, rape and domestic violence. While it is important for this individual to be able to reclaim his life, it seems reckless to place this individual in a home where women and families are taken in and cared for. How do you explain that circumstance to the mother who is desperate for a place to sleep?

While the intentions of John Graham and Good Samaritan, Inc. are sound and great, I take great exception to the methods with which the program is implemented. He has described one thing and enacted another. He has continued to acquire properties and grow his enterprise, compromising his original mission in the process. It is naïve to believe he is not profiting from this endeavor, but profiting while dividing the community with half-truths and continuing to expand his operation in a way that directly contradicts his vision statement demands some answers.

[ref. http://www.goodsamaritanhome.org]

17 comments:

  1. Thank you for the informative article. And unlike so many, it is written correctly as to the history.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Excellent writing. I believe that those who are convicted of sex crimes will offend again...no matter how "loving" the community around them may be. I also hate the fact that many of the offenders at Mr. Graham's places are not from Darke Co. Seems like asking for more trouble.
    Call me cold, but if you are found guilty and convicted of a sex crime (expecially against a child), you should be in jail...permenantly.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is an extremely well written article and I agree completely with the author. I am very interested in what Mr Graham has to share with the community regarding this article.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Okay, this sounds correct----but what can be done about it?
    We have here a community---a city--- that can't support its schools, and IMPORTS sex offenders from other counties to mingle with its citizens. somehow doean't sound right????

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am very grateful for the continued information. One part of this article stood out to me. The fact that while this may be Mr. Graham's compensated mission, he expects the community to provide services to these individuals. This at a time that many of our citizens are struggling themselves.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous: Did you come to the meeting yesterday for Citizens4Change? Just curious - there was a lot of information and solutions given! Stay tuned!

    ReplyDelete
  7. iT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY, John Graham you should be ashamed. There are plenty of realiters in town, please list your propertie's and move somewhere else.

    ReplyDelete
  8. As it is with almost all social deviates, they are very meek and mild but once they start to grow in numbers then they get a sense of superiority. They talk among themselves and start to think that they are right and everyone else is wrong.
    It is not only with the social misfits but any walk of life. Put a new christian in an environment of nonbelieving athiests he will soon go back to being a nonbeliever again. Put the "reformed" sex addict in a home with other former sexual offenders they will soon return to their old ways. It is the same with drug addicts, thiefs and other forms of criminal minds.

    ReplyDelete
  9. 2:51 PM Before I could submit my comment, you took the words right out of my mouth. I share your views - well written article and last but not least.....is there really a John Graham living here? Seems as if some kind of response is in order from this man....I am beginning to wonder if he does exist!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous 9:20, you are right on. If Mr. Graham feels that he is "called on" to do this, he should have purchased some farm land in the country and away from any schools, playgrounds and just plain close neighbors. They could even be put into a work program on the farm to learn how to be responsible people with a real sense of need.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I attended the meeting in the park and learned alot about Mr. G and how his stories changed when confronted by individuals. I have several questions-do these offenders have access to a computer and the internet? Once Mr. G. brings them to town how does HE help in their rehabilitation? Since he is a preacher, does he have a church service for these men? I like the suggestion yesterday that he should take some of the money he is receiving and go to the counties where they men are from and help them start their own "homes"

    ReplyDelete
  12. Time to take out the trash, Mr. Graham needs to leave.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yep....Mr. Graham DOES exist!! Was seen at restaurant with printed copies of this exact blog on Sunday morning...wondering how he was gonna deal with this 'nuisance'. Mr. Liette...an extremely well written article..thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  14. that's interesting. it wasn't posted until Sunday afternoon. unless it was a late brunch or something.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I loved this article, You see I live 2 houses in all directions of all three houses and around the corner from the main st home. It is a zoo, A complete joke, This man is not from Greenville and walks in and does what ever he wants, and the city has allowed it. For any parent with children, it is a complete nightmare! What is shocking to me is that there are people writing articles in the paper supporting what he is doing. They either dont have young children or they dont live in this neighborhood. I receive fliers in the mail like you wouldnt believe. Emails from the sheriffs office everytime I turn on my computer (UPDATED SEX OFFENDERS). Out of town people are visiting the sex offenders throughout all hours of the day and night. Strange people walk up and down and loiter in our alley all day long. You would have to live here in these two blocks to see and understand why we are so against what Graham is doing. We dont know anything; all we receive is fliers in the mail and emails, people are being shipped in and out all the time. It's completely crazy, it has to stop! He recently purchased a home on 4th street as well, so people on East 4th, beware, because it's coming your way too. The guy moved in to this town and bought one home. He now owns 5 homes within a two block radius. And you tell me he's not profiting! Wake up people, it's time for action!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Just so everyone knows, He also now has 2 teenage girls living at his home, ( Exchange Students) Right in the middle of all these homes,

    ReplyDelete
  17. Excellent article. The best I've read by far. The concerns addressed were valid & well researched. Well done! I'm impressed.
    @ 1203am: I completely 100% agree. The people that support John Graham need to go hang out in the 400 & 500 blocks of East Third Street for a few days & get a clue as to what is going on.

    ReplyDelete

Featured Posts

/* Track outbound links in Google Analytics */