CA- Parolees in camp must find another place to stay

5-27-2009 California:

Sex offenders argue their options are limited.

The paroled sex offenders living alongside Black Rascal Creek must move elsewhere by Friday or face arrest, a state corrections official said Monday.

"We're not ignorant in the sense that the problem of the transient population will go away," Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation unit supervisor David Domico said. "We do have an obligation to enforce parole restrictions and the law."

The parolees can't live on private property. They knew the day would come when they'd have to find somewhere else to stay, Domico said.

Homeless advocates argue that a lack of suitable housing means there's no option for them but to go back to prison. The department's move may scatter the population, they add, possibly creating more safety issues because the sex offenders would be living alone without the support of one another.

The number of sex offenders at the encampment west of Merced changes every day. It represents a small percentage of the total homeless population.

Nonetheless, it's one of the thornier social and legal issues facing the city because of the strict restrictions about where the parolees can live.

About a dozen paroled sex offenders are living there now, though there are also homeless who aren't serving out parole. They're not being asked to move because the department doesn't supervise them.

It's up to the landowner to complain about the trespassing. As it stands, there's some confusion about whether the camps fall on land owned by Merced Irrigation District or Union Pacific.

The decision to evict the paroled sex offenders follows a meeting last week with Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Merced, and Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani, D-Stockton, that was requested by Merced Mayor Ellie Wooten and Merced County Supervisor Mike Nelson.

The local leaders called the state senator's office because the problem falls within state control, Denham spokeswoman Jann Taber said. "(Denham) believes if these paroled sex offenders do anything that violates their parole they should be arrested," she said.

By noon Thursday, the parolees must tell their agents where they plan to live, according to a letter given to them.

If they can't find anywhere to go, Domico explained, they'll be held accountable, which includes going back to prison. "If that's what it takes, that's what it takes," he said.

Their options are limited. Restrictions put on sex offenders, such as living within 2,000 feet from parks and schools, effectively keep them out of the city. The Merced County Rescue Mission, the D Street shelter and local churches are also off-limits.

Jesse, a homeless sex offender, didn't want his last name used because he feared he'd be targeted.

He was convicted on a charge of oral copulation after a stint at a youth corrections complex in 1981. Cornered, he thought he was going to be raped by a couple other juveniles.

He went on the offensive, dropping his pants and yanking the boy's head to his crotch, he recalled, and yelling a verbal command at the 15-year-old.

Another crime -- drunken driving in 2001 -- violated his parole and forced him to register as a sex offender.

His parole is set to end in March. He isn't sure where he'll live next week. There's a spot near Highway 99 that he thinks may work. "We're pretty heartbroken," he said. "We don't know where to go."

Homeless advocates, since learning of the plans, have been busy trying to stop the plan. A call was put into the American Civil Liberties Union for help.

Renee Davenport, who lobbies for local homeless people, said she called top officials with state parole.

"It's just crazy," she said. "They have nowhere to go."

And they've got till Friday to go there. ..News Source.. by SCOTT JASON