California RSOL will publicly oppose an ordinance proposed by the City of Cypress that would prohibit all registrants from (1) living with 2,000 feet of a school, park or day care center, (2) being in close proximity of a child safety zone, (3) staying in a hotel that already has a registrant guest, and (4) celebrating Halloween. The Cypress City Council will consider the ordinance on March 12.
“This is the most comprehensive and the most damaging ordinance yet considered by a city,” stated state organizer Janice Bellucci. “The ordinance would significantly violate the civil rights of all of the state’s 92,000 registrants.”
Background materials for the proposed ordinance, prepared by Chief of Police Jackie Gomez-Whiteley, incorrectly state that “registered sex offenders” have a high recidivism rate. The fact is that the recidivism rate of registrants is 3.25 percent for those on parole and 5 percent for those not on parole.
The background materials also state that the City of Cypress does not intend to punish “sex offenders” through enactment of the proposed ordinance. Violation of the civil rights of more than 92,000 individuals is punishment and could be challenged under 42 U.S.C. 1983 and other federal and state statutes.
The proposed ordinance, if enacted, would limit the activities of registrants who celebrate Halloween. The most egregious limitation is a prohibition to decorate one’s residence, whether inside or out. This could lead to a registrant’s arrest and/or fine for possession of a pumpkin.
Please join California RSOL in its opposition to this ordinance by attending or participating in the Cypress City Council meeting. The meeting will begin at 7 pm. and be held at 5725 Orange Avenue, Cypress, CA 90630.
Wish we would have known about this … we are affected.
Michelle – I would like to speak to you about this. Please call me directly at (805) 896-7854. Thank you. Janice