CA- Jessica's Law A Huge Disappointment For Police

2-24-2008 California:

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ― A new law on the books, aimed at protecting our children, has police officers in an uproar. Jessica's Law is turning out to be a big disappointment for local law enforcement, and some believe it may actually put our children at risk.

"As we're standing here, right now, Jessica's Law is not being enforced," said Sgt. Mike Jones of the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement team (S.A.F.E.).

Sgt. Jones says Jessica's Law is a nice thought, but has absolutely no teeth.

"But I can tell you right now it will be a major drain," he said. His team, S.A.F.E., monitors thousands of registered sex offenders in the county, and hunts down those not in compliance.

Jessica's Law was inspired in Florida by the 2005 abduction of 9-year old Jessica Lunsford. John Couey, a convicted sex offender, sexually assaulted and murdered her. Since then, California voters passed it's own version of Jessica's Law through Proposition 83.

Prop 83 requires all sex offenders -- on parole or not -- to stay at least 2000 feet from schools and parks, and to wear a GPS tracking device.

"We have no plan in place to fit the GPS devices on the 3,000 sex offenders in the county," Sgt. Jones said. "There's not enough money."

That's the question: Where is the money coming from?

With the state facing a $16 billion deficit and cities forecasting impending layoffs, how do you pay for millions of dollars worth of GPS devices and the extra officers needed to enforce Jessica's Law?

Sgt. Jones says because there is no funding they don't have the time, manpower or resources to keep more than 2000 sex offenders from hanging out at parks or schools.

That doesn't sit well with residents.

"They need to keep track of them, there are a lot of them out there," said Dan Aguiar.

There are exactly 68,000 sex offenders statewide.

"It will be very expensive," said Sgt. Jones. "With the situation right now it would be a drain." ..more.. by Ron Jones