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Politics & Government

UPDATE: Sex Offender Urgency Ordinance Passed For Halloween

The updated ordinance will impose additional restrictions on registered sex offenders as part of a strategy to enhance protections for children trick-or-treating.

10/18 Update: Riverside County supervisors today approved a measure prohibiting convicted sex offenders from handing out candy or taking part in any other activity that might attract children to their homes on Halloween.

"This is another way in which to prevent youngsters in our community from coming into contact with registrants,'' said Supervisor Jeff Stone, who proposed the new restrictions. "Our responsibility is to protect the health, safety and welfare of our citizens ... One molestation is too many in this county.''

In a 5-0 vote, the Board of Supervisors approved amending the county's anti-loitering ordinance to directly address what registered sex offenders who
reside in unincorporated communities can and cannot do on Halloween.

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Under the new "time, place and manner'' provisions, which take effect immediately, it's illegal for a registrant to:
   -- have any Halloween decorations on his or her residence between midnight and 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 31;
   -- have any exterior or ornamental lights turned on between 5 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. on Halloween; and
   -- answer their door to trick-or-treaters.

Norco resident Julie Waltz applauded the effort, but doubted that it would be effective.

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"You can't control these people,'' she told the board. "You think this is going to stop them from attacking women and children? I don't think so. The laws of the state need to be changed. We need to direct our efforts into changing the laws instead of spending $20,000 of taxpayer money on another ordinance.''

Supervisor John Benoit called the measure "appropriate,'' a sentiment shared by board Chairman Bob Buster, who nevertheless questioned whether it would prove beneficial this Halloween.

"I hope that in our haste to get this on the books that it's enforceable,'' the chairman said.

He directed county officials to send notices to registrants immediately informing them of their obligations.

The new provisions will be incorporated into an ordinance approved by the board last year, which makes it a misdemeanor crime for a convicted sex offender to be within 300 feet of a day care center, library, park, playground, public swimming pool, school or anywhere else that provides "classes or group activities for children.'' It also prohibits a registrant from residing within 2,000 feet of a school, park or other facility catering to kids.

Violators are subject to fines of $1,000 or more and face up to six months in jail.

According to Stone, the amended ordinance replicates measures passed in the cities of San Jacinto and Orange.

Roughly 3,500 sex registrants reside in Riverside County, though many of them live in municipalities not under county jurisdiction.

California law requires anyone convicted of a felony sex offense to register with a local law enforcement agency when moving into an area. The law also requires that registrants alert authorities whenever they change residence, and that they annually renew their registration.

10/17 Original Post: The Riverside County Board of Supervisors tomorrow will consider an urgency measure that would prohibit convicted sex offenders from handing out candy or taking part in any other activity that might attract children to their homes on Halloween.

Roughly 3,500 sex registrants reside in Riverside County.

RELATED: Click here to enter the California Megan’s Law sex offender locator site to see a list of sex offenders in your neighborhood. Under California law, sex offenders convicted under Penal Code 290 are required to register with a local law enforcement agency when they move into the area. The law also requires that registrants alert authorities whenever they change residence, and that they annually renew their registration.

Supervisor Jeff Stone is seeking a revision to the county's anti-loitering law that would impose additional restrictions on registered sex offenders as part of a strategy to enhance protections for children trick-or-treating.

The urgency measure would only impact unincorporated areas, such as Lakeland Village.

Under the supervisor's proposed “time, place and manner'' provisions, which would take effect immediately if approved by a majority of board members, it would be illegal for a registrant to:
   -- have any Halloween decorations on his or her residence between midnight and 11:59 p.m. on Halloween;
   -- have any exterior or ornamental lights turned on between 5 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. on Halloween; and
   -- answer the door to trick-or-treaters.

“Sex offenders pose an immediate threat to children trick-or-treating on Halloween because children often will engage a disproportionate number of complete strangers as part of their door-to-door activities,'' an introduction to Stone's proposal states. “(The) events of Halloween could put children unknowingly in close proximity to sexual offenders who have committed violations against children.''

The new provisions would be incorporated into an anti-loitering ordinance approved by the board last year, which makes it a misdemeanor crime for a convicted sex offender to be within 300 feet of a day care center, library, park, playground, public swimming pool, school or anywhere else that provides “classes or group activities for children.'' It also prohibits a registrant from residing within 2,000 feet of a school, park or other facility catering to kids.

Violators could be subject to fines of $1,000 or more and face up to six months in jail.

According to Stone, the amended ordinance would replicate measures passed in the cities of San Jacinto and Orange. –Toni McAllister contributed to this report.

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