Auburn mayor releases statement following South Hill Rapist Kevin Coe’s relocation to her community

AUBURN, Wash. — The mayor of Auburn says she is not happy that notorious Spokane rapist Kevin Coe has relocated to her community.

Coe was released from the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island last week after the state said he no longer fit the criteria as a sexually violent predator.

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He’s living at an adult family home, listed on the sex offender registry as being in the 2900 block of 15th St SE in Auburn.

You can read the full statement from Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus below:

“The City of Auburn was not notified by the King County Sheriff’s Office or any other agency that Mr. Kevin Coe was being relocated here. Like many of our residents, we learned of this recent development through newspapers and TV stations. That is not how effective public safety partnerships should operate, and we should expect better.When decisions of this magnitude are made – especially involving individuals with a documented history of violence – local jurisdictions such as Auburn deserve to be informed in advance so we can ensure the safety, communication, and peace of mind of our community. Transparency and coordination among agencies are essential to maintaining public trust.It’s disappointing that this process appears to be unfolding in the media rather than through professional collaboration between local, county, and state jurisdictions. Moving people from one city to another in response to public pressure is not a sound public safety strategy. It’s reactive, and it erodes community confidence. Auburn cannot, and should not, be treated as a community of last resort when other placements are met with opposition. That’s not how responsible governance works.Auburn has always stepped up to do its part in addressing regional challenges, especially public safety, but we will not quietly accept becoming a fallback option for difficult decisions made elsewhere. Our residents deserve better than to have these decisions made without transparency or thoughtful planning.We will do everything within our legal authority to keep our community protected and informed. Now that we are aware of Mr. Coe’s presence, the Auburn Police Department has verified his location and will immediately begin the process of notifying the community as allowed under law. Our officers will also conduct frequent verification checks to ensure Mr. Coe remains compliant with all registration requirements. We are also in close communication with the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe for further remedies.And let me be clear: I am angry that Mr. Coe was released into our community. Auburn was not part of this decision, and we should not be asked to shoulder the consequences of choices made without consultation. Decisions of this significance must be based on safety, communication, and logic – not on convenience, reaction or circumstance.We demand better coordination moving forward to ensure that every community, including ours, is informed and protected.”