CA- ACLU attorney doubts efficacy of Murrieta sex offender proposal

Again, to date, no where in the nation has anyone shown a past crime that would have been prevented had a residency law been in place at the time, these laws are nothing but hypothetical nonsense a pretext and way to circumvent constitutional protections.

1-21-2009 California:

Murrieta's City Council was poised to discuss proposed restrictions on registered sex offenders at its Tuesday night meeting.

Meanwhile, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney expressed doubts that the city's Child Safety Zone Ordinance would truly protect children from predators.

The council had yet to discuss the ordinance as the hour approached 9 p.m. The ordinance was at the end of the council agenda.

Modeled after laws in Canyon Lake and elsewhere, the ordinance would have set up Child Safety Zones around schools, parks and certain businesses, including a bowling alley and a go-kart track.

The ordinance would bar registered sex offenders from loitering within 300 feet of a zone-protected location. The ordinance's definitions of loitering include "remaining or wandering without visible or lawful business or purpose for the apparent purpose of observing any child or children."

Penalties for violating the ordinance include fines of up to $1,000, jail sentences of up to six months or both. Safety zone signs would be displayed in areas covered by the ordinance.

The ordinance would complement Jessica's Law, which California voters passed in 2006.

State law forbids offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools, parks and places where children gather.

In a phone interview Tuesday afternoon, Peter Eliasberg, managing attorney for the ACLU of Southern California, said Jessica's Law and similar statutes often do more harm than good, since the limits on offenders often lead them not to register with police.

"They're really bad ideas in terms of policy," he said.

Murrieta police Lt. Dennis Vrooman has said the ordinance is another tool officers can use to keep children safe. Thirty-five registered sex offenders live in Murrieta, according to state figures. ..News Source.. by JEFF HORSEMAN, The Press-Enterprise