Los Angeles thinks it’s stumbled on a novel way to drive out sex offenders: Build more parks, then quote state laws that prohibit them from living within 2,000 feet.
The city has in works a plan to build three of these parks, all for that reason, the Los Angeles Times reports. They’re small parks — one for Harbor Gateway will barely be large enough to house the jungle gyms. But size doesn’t matter. State law is clear: Sex offenders can’t live less than 2,000 feet from parks and schools, and the 86 who live by the planned Harbor Gateway park site will have to clear out.
The action isn’t without its detractors.
“People are running around with hysteria when they don’t know the facts,” said Janice Bellucci, president of California Reform Sex Offender Laws, in the L.A. Times report. “I understand that sex offenders are not a popular part of society, but they have constitutional rights.”
The park push comes as L.A. City Hall officials are considering yet other ways to drive out sex offenders. One recommendation suggests banning them from living near day-care centers and facilities that provide after-school activities.
“I want to do everything in my power to keep child sex offenders away from children,” said City Councilman Joe Buscaino, in the L.A. Times report.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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