Auburn city officials and residents were caught off guard following the unannounced relocation of Kevin Coe, a convicted rapist, into their community on October 2. Coe, whose criminal history includes links to more than thirty sexual assaults committed between 1978 and 1981, was released after serving time and completing a lengthy civil confinement. His transfer to Auburn occurred without any prior notice to local leaders, prompting swift and sharp criticism from city officials.

Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus voiced strong disapproval of the lack of transparency surrounding Coe’s release and placement. “We were not informed, consulted, or even notified in advance,” she said, expressing frustration over the process. Her concerns reflect broader anxieties about public safety and the responsibilities of state and county agencies in ensuring communities are prepared for the arrival of high-risk individuals.

Coe, now in his 70s, had been incarcerated for more than four decades. After completing his criminal sentence, he remained held at the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island for 17 years under civil commitment laws, which allow for the continued detention of individuals deemed sexually violent predators. His eventual release followed a civil jury’s ruling that he no longer met the legal criteria for confinement.

Despite the legal process behind Coe’s release, the lack of coordination with Auburn officials has raised red flags. Mayor Backus emphasized that the city should have been notified so proper safety measures and public communication could be considered. “The fact that someone with such a disturbing past was placed in our city without any warning is unacceptable,” she stated.

Kevin Coe’s crimes shocked the Spokane community in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was originally convicted in 1981 for a series of rapes that terrorized the area, with victims ranging in age from 15 to 51. Though some of his convictions were later overturned, Coe remained linked to dozens of assaults and remained incarcerated for decades due to the severity of his offenses and ongoing concerns about his risk to public safety.

As of now, Coe is legally free and residing in Auburn. City officials are seeking answers from the King County Sheriff’s Office and other relevant agencies about how the decision was made and why they were left uninformed. The situation has sparked a renewed discussion about the protocols for reintegrating individuals with violent histories into communities, as well as the responsibilities of law enforcement and state institutions to communicate with local governments.

The City of Auburn continues to monitor the situation closely and is evaluating potential measures to ensure the safety and awareness of its residents.