Sex offender counseling office raises neighborhood ire

John Howell
Posted 4/16/15

Cory Thomas Howland holds a master’s degree in social work. He values counseling and believes it is important in the rehabilitation of sex offenders, arsonists and those who commit domestic …

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Sex offender counseling office raises neighborhood ire

Posted

Cory Thomas Howland holds a master’s degree in social work. He values counseling and believes it is important in the rehabilitation of sex offenders, arsonists and those who commit domestic violence.

Howland is also the parent of five adopted children and a social worker in East Providence Schools. Two of his children are students at Holliman Elementary School.

But Howland feels that Counseling Services of Rhode Island, with offices at 893 Warwick Ave., shouldn’t be located where it is, and yesterday he led picketers in an effort to get them to move. He says the service counsels sex offenders and his concern is for children who might come in contact with clients.

Already as a “precautionary” measure, in the words of Superintendent Richard D’Agostino, the Warwick School Department moved the area bus stop from 350 feet away from the office in Gold Plaza to about 500 feet to the north.

D’Agostino said Tuesday parents have been notified, but he had not been able to contact the agency and he could not confirm whether sex offenders are clients. The Beacon also tried to reach Counseling Services and left voice messages for a return call.

Col. Stephen McCartney was aware of neighborhood concerns as well as those of some tenants at Gold Plaza. He said yesterday morning that police would keep an eye on any picketing and that Howland and those joining him are entitled to picket as long as they didn’t interfere with traffic or the rights of others. McCartney also noted that “there’s nothing in the law that excludes” Counseling Services of Rhode Island from operating at the location.

“There’s no violation and there’s nothing that says they can’t [counsel sex offenders],” he said.

Howland knows that and hopes to change the law by bringing attention to what’s happening in his neighborhood.

“There is no law restricting this center from operating where it does. I do not feel it should be located in our heavily residential neighborhood near several schools,” he said in an email to the paper. In an interview he said, “What they are doing is right. It’s the right idea, but the wrong location.”

Howland feels services dealing with sex offenders and persons with criminal records should be required to notify a community prior to opening. Also, he argues zoning should restrict where these services can locate.

Howland commends the school department for acting quickly. In an effort to get out the word and draft pickets, he circulated flyers in the neighborhood. He is also circulating a petition to get the service relocated.

Counseling Services offices are located between a gun shop and a hair salon. According to plaza tenants, who asked not to be identified, there has been an increase of strangers lingering at the plaza at different hours during the day and night. There were no reports of any incidents.

According to plaza tenants, the service opened early last month. It appears to operate on an appointment basis, although that couldn’t be confirmed.

Howland said Pilgrim High School students walk by the office on their way to and from school.

“I don’t want them [sex offenders] invited in numbers to my area,” said Howland.

Comments

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  • Carterbnb

    Are you kidding me? Our children have to change their bus stop to accommodate sex offenders? What is this world coming to?

    On a similar note, I have written to the Beacon and called several times regarding a Level III sex offender with 5 convictions for child molestation, who moved in close proximity to John Brown Frances School. I was informed that RI law allows sex offenders to live within 300 feet of our schools. I have spoken to Sen McCaffrey and Rep. McNamara about this issue and have been pushing to have the law changed to 1000 feet. I have spoken to countless people, started a petition, and myself and other parents have handed out hundreds of flyers in an effort to raise awareness and rally support regarding this issue. When I contacted the Beacon about this, apparently it wasn't newsworthy and no one ever got back to me. I applaud Mr. Howland and his daughter and support them in their efforts! I would also like to ask for people's support in changing the law by contacting their Legislators.

    Thursday, April 16, 2015 Report this

  • Incognito

    There is also one... Joseph Couie on Strawberry Field Road, his back yard actually goes right up to or close to the teacher parking lot at Lippitt Elementary.... Would that even be 300 feet, I don't even think so, someone should check it out.

    Friday, April 17, 2015 Report this

  • smh

    Have you read about the Strawberry Field Rd one? Heinous does not begin to describe it! The law needs to be drastically changed! Our children are in danger because these deviants are allowed to roam freely until they strike again...Repulsive!

    Friday, April 17, 2015 Report this

  • opinion

    This is more of the same of what is going on in the city of Warwick. Sober Houses and the likes of other such houses, that they have been forced down the throats of taxpayers, into family neighborhoods. Everyone has rights except for those of us that do the right thing and want to keep our families safe. Go into the Norwood neighborhood and see what you find. We have gone to community meetings in which everyone tells us that there is nothing we can do. The Subway shop on Post Road has become a place for panhandlers, we did not have this issue until the sober houses came into the area.

    Saturday, April 18, 2015 Report this

  • JebJohnson

    Another " Not in My Neighborhood " the business has every right to be there

    Monday, April 20, 2015 Report this

  • allent

    counseling sex offenders? sounds like a money grab to me. wonder how many offenders they've cured

    Wednesday, April 22, 2015 Report this