Crackdown on sex offenders met with caution

5-11-2011 California:

IRVINE – It's rare that tough rules on sex offenders aren't welcomed wholeheartedly. But as District Attorney Tony Rackauckas implores local cities to crack down, feedback has been notably subdued, at least so far.

After county supervisors last month barred registered sex offenders from entering county parks, Rackauckas sent a letter to every O.C. town, asking them to follow suit.

Irvine's City Council on Tuesday was the first to take up the matter, but was split in its enthusiasm, with some members asking if a new layer of restrictions on sex offenders is the best use of police resources.

"Our parks are the safest places in the safest city in the United States of America," Councilman Larry Agran said. "I want us to keep our eye on the ball," he added.

Councilwoman Beth Krom echoed that, wondering aloud "whether we are simply doing something which creates a perception of safety."

Westminster has also scheduled discussion of new rules on sex offenders, but no feedback has been received from other cities in Orange County, Rackauckas said in an interview.

Nonetheless, with county parks now off-limits, the district attorney told the council it would be wise to take action. “You don’t want to have it be legal in your city,” Rackauckas said.

Councilman Jeff Lalloway, who is spearheading Irvine's consideration of the law, backed that sentiment: "The further we delay on this ... the more potentially we could drive sex offenders to our parks."

California law prohibits registered sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of parks, something that may account for Irvine's relatively small population of offenders. The city has more than 50 parks and has 45 registered sex offenders, city officials say.

Orange County has 1,800 sex offenders listed on the state Megan's Law database; additional offenders are not publicly disclosed but are known to law enforcement.

The impact of the county's action, and any similar moves by cities, might be limited. The California Attorney General's website says most victims know their attackers, and that the idea "most child sexual abusers find their victims by frequenting such places as schoolyards and playgrounds" is "false."

Some local towns already have related restrictions; Tustin and Fullerton, for example, have laws prohibiting sex offenders from loitering near parks and day cares.

Sheriff Sandra Hutchens spoke briefly at Tuesday's meeting, declining to "tell the council what to do" but saying she feels the rules will be valuable at the county level.

Todd Spitzer, a supervisor candidate and former assemblyman who helped put the Megan's Law database online, called the proposal a "shining opportunity" to protect children.

Mayor Sukhee Kang and Councilman Steven Choi both signaled at least tentative support for additional steps.

Ultimately, Irvine officials voted to draft a law on the matter and requested a recommendation from staff in 45 days on whether they should adopt it.

"I want to hear from the city manager, and I want to hear from the (police) chief, if this is indeed a problem," Agran said. Not seeking such a recommendation, he added, would be "failing to do our jobs." ..Source.. by JEFF OVERLEY, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER