Â
Sponsored by
LOMPOC
Lompoc city leaders pass stricter sex offender ordinance
Posted: Apr 18, 2012 12:22 AM by Ariel Wesler
Updated: Apr 18, 2012 8:05 AM
The city of Lompoc is cracking down on sex offenders in the community,hoping to keep them farther away from children.
City leaders unanimously passed a new ordinance at Tuesday night's city council meeting to clarify and expand Jessica's Law. The current law prohibits sex offenders from living within 2000 feet of any park or school.
Back in November, Santa Maria passed a similar ordinance clarifying Jessica's Law as a 2000 foot straight line in every direction from any park or school.
City leaders did that to keep a sexually violent predator out of town. Lompoc's matches Santa Maria's with a few additions.
Lompoc's ordinance prevents sex offenders from not only living near parks or schools, but also within 2000 feet of any childcare center, public library, commercial establishment that provides a playground, any location that holds classes or group activities for children, and any school bus stop.
The Lompoc Police Department says clarifying the law will help protect children in the community and reduce opportunities for sex criminals likely to re-offend.
"We've seen some case decisions in the courts that have interpreted Jessica's Law very loosely and this just gives the intent of Jessica's Law that the 2000-foot limit is exactly that," said Lompoc Police Chief Tim Dabney.
The ordinance also establishes a 300-foot child safety zone around all those previously mentioned to prevent loitering
Jessica's Law has always given cities authority to further restrict where sex offenders can live. However, some people feel by making sex offenders outcasts, they could actually become more likely to re-offend.
The new ordinance takes effect June 1.
PLEASE HELP US MODERATE COMMENTS
Offensive or inappropriate comments are subject to removal. To report a comment, please e-mail us at feedback@ksby.com, and include the name of the story and information on the comment.
Thank you! KSBY.com
KSBY.COM VIDEOS
-
Hasay finishes 18th at regionals, fails to advance to NCAA Championships in 10K
Views: 18 May 24, 2013 -
"Monster" reunited with owner after his cage was blown away during Oklahoma tornado
Views: 99 May 22, 2013 -
Joshua Hornsby mourns the loss of his young daughter killed in the Oklahoma tornado
Views: 30 May 22, 2013
Comments