Los Alamitos approves ban on sex offenders in city parks

10-19-2011 California:

LOS ALAMITOS – The City Council on Monday voted 5-0 to approve an ordinance prohibiting sex offenders from entering city parks without prior permission from the police department.

City Councilman Troy Edgar, who put the item on the agenda, said the city's ordinance is similar to the county's, which was passed in April. That law prohibits registered sex offenders from entering any of 27 county parks, beaches, harbors or recreation areas without written permission from the Sheriff's Department. Any registered sex offender who does is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500.

Edgar said he has not heard or seen any opposition from Los Alamitos residents with regard to this ordinance.

"We are giving individuals who have been convicted of these offenses to come into our police department and get a permit before they visit our parks," he said. "We think that's fair and does a lot to protect our children."

Althougth Los Alamitos is a small city with five resident registered sex offenders listed on the Department of Justice's Megan's Law database, neighboring Long Beach has more than 700 registered sex offenders, Edgar said.

"Our big parks are located on the major thoroughfares," he said. "Being a gateway city, this ordinance is important for us to preserve our quality of life."

District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, whose office worked closely with the city of Los Alamitos to formulate this ordinance, issued a statement saying the ordinance will go a long way in keeping children safe from predators.

"The citizens of Los Alamitos should thank their city council for working to protect their children from violent sex offenders who may be lurking in their parks," he said.

In June, Westminster voted 4-0 to enact a similar ordinance. That city's ordinance was modeled after the county ordinance, as was one passed in La Habra in September.

In June, Irvine passed a ban but restricted it to sex offenders who have victimized minors. Several other cities are considering similar bans including Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, Placentia, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Juan Capistrano and Yorba Linda. ..Source.. by DEEPA BHARATH / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER