CA- Molesters beware

1-23-2009 California:

Murrieta hopes to have made parks and other places where children hang out a little bit safer.

It joined 25 other cities in California when the City Council unanimously approved a law banning registered sex offenders from child-friendly parks and venues.

In staff reports, the need for a law exists because of the “high recidivism rate of sexual offenders.”

--Note: This is nonsense dozens of studies including the Dep't of Justice show low recidivism rates, claims of high recidivism rates are myths.

The city law mirrors others, including one passed by Canyon Lake, which create “child safety zones” in about 80 areas throughout the city.

If officers find a registered sex offender in those zones, the offender can be found guilty of a misdemeanor, fined between $500 and $1,000 and ordered to serve up to six months in county jail.

Officers would have to prove the offenders were within 300 feet of the safety zone and were there with the intent to watch or solicit children, according to a staff report.

Safety zone locations include all parks and schools within the city limits and recreation centers such as Brunswick California Oaks Bowl and Mulligan Family Fun Center.

While the county’s Megan’s Law Web site shows about 35 sex offenders living in the city zip code, the police believe about 290 sex offenders live within driving distance, according to staff reports.

Small posted signs with a cartoon character would alert the public of the new law.

For those who were visiting an area park during a recent weekend the law made them feel safer.

According to the Megan’s Law site, three sexual offenders may be living near the park.

“I came to Murrieta because people said it was about the community,” Miriam Chavez, 29, said as she pushed her 2-year-old on a swing. “What’s wrong with a little more protection? Who is going to get mad about that?”

Chavez moved from Northern San Diego to rent a home in Murrieta.

She said she once called the police in San Diego about a guy hanging out near a park. The police said they couldn’t do anything to a man who was sitting there.

“He was a really creepy dude,” she recalled. “I kept thinking, he has no kids, he doesn’t have a dog, why is this guy here? What if he was a molester?” ..News Source.. by Rocky Salmon