A group opposed to putting the halfway house in Peasley Canyon held a tour of the site Thursday. [See video]

KIRO 7 Video

Nearly 1,000 people attended a hearing Wednesday night in Burien and cheered when one man condemned what he called "a palace for perverts."

It was standing room only, as the state took public comments on the proposed site near Kent.

It's one of two locations that the state is considering to house sex predators who've completed treatment at the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island.

Residents said they do not want the "worst of the worst" living in their backyard.

"You can not even protect the people who are in your charge and now you want to set loose these predators in our neighborhoods. You have got to be nuts!" said neighbor Chris Clifford.

"While they're laying down there at the bottom of the hill, within 45 minutes they could be on a high school, elementary school, junior high," said neighbor Jerome Curry.

Besides the Kent area site, the state is looking at another site in Peasley Canyon between Federal Way and Auburn.

Residents will be able to sound off about the Peasley Canyon site Thursday night.

A public hearing will take place at the Green River Community College Gym at 7 p.m.