Wichita ? Opponents of the possible release of a man convicted of kidnapping a 9-year-old Wichita girl and helping her killer have gotten an early start to fight his parole.

Donald Wacker, 41, was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison in the 1990 kidnapping of Nancy Shoemaker. Another man, Doil Lane, was convicted of raping and strangling the girl.

The last time Wacker stood a chance for release — five years ago — about 50,000 people signed petitions to keep him locked up. Wacker is in a Missouri prison.

Fourteen years after the crime, Wichita remains shaken by it, and those who oppose Wacker’s release say they hope to collect double or triple the number of signatures this time.

Colene Fischli, the Kansas Parole Board administrator, said Wacker’s case had attracted an unusual amount of attention. She said it was rare for the board to receive more than 1,000 signatures.

“When I have kids, I don’t want him out on the streets,” said Rendi Cress, who is helping with the petition drive.

The Parole Board will hear public comment on Wacker’s parole Oct. 28; his hearing will likely be held in mid-November. Among those planning to speak is Bo Shoemaker, the victim’s father, who lamented Wacker’s involvement in his daughter’s death.

“It’s just like he did it himself,” Shoemaker said. “He did nothing to stop it.”

The opinion of Shoemaker and others comes into play in the Parole Board’s decision. Comment from the public, the victim’s family and criminal justice officials is among seven factors the board must consider along with the inmate’s prior criminal history, participation in institutional programs, discipline record, plan for where he would live and work while on parole, and prison capacity.

The earliest Walker could be released is in early December. If denied parole, the board can hold off consideration of release for up to 10 more years.

Lane is on death row in Texas for another crime — the 1980 rape and murder of an 8-year-old girl.