Video from the Santa Ana City Council Meeting on May 21. CA RSOL spoke in opposition to the proposed ordinance banning registrants from parks, libraries and recreational facilities. The ordinance was passed unanimously.
[hana-flv-player video=”https://all4consolaws.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/santaanaccmeeting_20120521_001.flv” width=”320″ height=”240″ description=”” player=”4″ autoload=”true” autoplay=”false” loop=”false” autorewind=”true” /]Related posts
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Please watch and listen to this video! It’s amazing. Not only did 4 members of California Reform Sex Offender Laws speak eloquently in opposition to yet another park ban, but the Orange County District Attorney showed his true colors. He actually admitted that he did not know the recidivism rate for “sex offenders” but knew that 5 percent was not correct. Really? The report he gave to the City of Santa Ana, which is part of the ordinance that was passed states that the rate is 5.3 percent!!! Too bad he didn’t read it which he admits in the video. Be prepared to get angry when Mayor Pro Tem Alvarez says that the rights of her family to visit a public park are more important than the rights of any sex offender’s family.
As a registrant, a husband and the father of a precious little 5-year-old boy, it tears me up on every level to see and hear all that is contained in this video. Obviously I understand the cause of our RSOL group, as I am one of those (many? few? I really don’t know) who has paid dearly for my crime (and continues to pay dearly each and every day), who has absolutely learned my lesson and would simply like to live out the rest of my life with my family in peace.
At the same time, I also completely understand the attitudes of the other folks who spoke at this meeting, including the mayor pro-tem and that last gentleman (sorry but I didn’t take notes on all of the names) on the council talking about his own young children, and his desire to ensure their safety.
Perception has become “reality” in this battle, and that’s the truth. And, it doesn’t really matter why this is so. Trying to convince the general public that they should care one wit about sex offenders and their rights is a waste of time, because as long as one is listed on the registry, the “perception” is that we are the scum of the earth and will always be so.
I believe the key to obtaining any relief is to get the courts to understand that each and every registrant must be evaluated on an individual basis. It is unfortunate that there ARE people on the registry who are “bent” towards anti-social behavior, and MAY never change. The trick is to weed-out those of us who ARE rehabilitated, and to give us the chance to move on. How we are supposed to do this in light of the prevailing attitude towards us I honestly do not know, especially considering that such a course would require gobs of time and money from these same, “upstanding citizens”.
I personally had a full psychiatric evaluation done by a forensic psychiatrist routinely employed by the Ventura County Superior Court, done and paid for all on my own, and his written opinion is that I am not a danger to anyone. The problem is that I cannot get ANYONE to consider his report or to even give it the time of day, and not for any lack of trying. It is a case of people who simply have their minds all made up, and they just don’t care to hear about the troubles of a sex offender regardless of any circumstances.
My apologies for sharing such a dark cloud, but it is the cloud I and my wonderful family live under every day. Try explaining to your 5-year-old why the daddy he loves and adores can no longer take him to the park to play, and you’ll instantly understand where I’m coming from. Here in Ventura there is no such ordinance, and so I take him to the park at every opportunity, knowing full well that it’s only a matter of time before we lose that right over here as well. I’ve already had to (try and) explain why I’m not allowed to go see him in his school play, and of course he has no capacity yet to understand what the hell I’m talking about; he just plain misses his dad and wants him in his life all the time.
I’m not saying I’m giving up; I can’t give up or else my family will certainly lose! In fat, the honest truth is that I would love to devote the rest of my life to fighting this battle just like Janice has chosen to do. But the simple problem for us is money. Having been unemployed now for more than two years, finding a job has to be my top and only priority, and so far that has proven to be an insurmountable task.
So if any of you RSO’s out there actually have a job, I would deeply appreciate hearing about how you accomplished that. Sorry I always end up at this question (I feel like one of those commercials that just repeats the same phone number over and over), but it IS absolutely the biggest problem of all for us.
Fred,
Very eloquently spoken. I am sorry to hear about your job plight. I was VERY fortunate to have some friends that looked out for me after my conviction. It’s really a shame that they throw us on this registry and basically to the wolves with no path for “what comes next”. Your basically on your own. If I were you I would look to any friends you have and who are sympathetic to your situation who could help lead you in a job direction. I found this website maybe there is something for you.
In regards to attending school functions, as far as I know, there are no restrictions when it comes to being at a school if you have a purpose and other adults are around. Obviously, your son goes there and you have a right to be there for that purpose. I attend ALL my kids sports and school functions. I’m in Los Angeles.
http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2012/03/27/Meet-Americas-New-Small-Business-Owners-Ex-Cons.aspx#page1
Fred. Do something that doesn’t require someone to employ you. I’m a hairstylist that has rented a station in a salon in OC. You can get ROP classes to work in a field independently. Heck in my industry you can do very well just sharpening shears for stylist in your area. Training isn’t that bad just go to Youtube to get a general idea. Bonika shears out of Goregia has a great training program with dvds to order online. The sharpening hone to sharpen with you can get for $240 online. It’s a bench sander called: PROXXON TG 125/E. FOR $25 per shear to sharpen. In one salon you can do as many as 10 in less that 2 hours. The added bonus is the sale of shears and combs with an insane mark up! I get nothing out of telling you this, but we are in this together. When you have it just support RSOL. Fellow warrior for change.
Guys,
I really appreciate your input on this! Sharpening shears is definitely something I hadn’t considered, and it’s just this kind of idea that I need 🙂
Steve, I’m very glad to hear about your ability to attend your children’s school events as at least it gives us some hope for the future. In my case, the Ventura County DA “follows me around” (not physically of course) by notifying the school principals about my status. Being a special needs kid, my little boy goes to two different preschools, one of which is strictly for speech therapy and doesn’t host any events for the kids. But at the other school I was actually required to sign a form agreeing that I only have the right to drop off/pick up my son. The form clearly states that I am not allowed there for any other purpose.
In our case my wife happens to also be my victim of 26 years ago, and even after setting up a meeting with the principal there to explain our situation he was completely unsympathetic to our plight. But I suspect that, as in many cases, it’s all about the individual you’re dealing with at the moment. My little boy will be starting kindergarten at a different school this August, and hopefully the principal there will be more understanding.
But again, I really just wanted to thank you folks for your input as it is GREATLY appreciated! All the best of luck to both of you, and yours.
Fred, while reading your comment I could not help but think of myself. I also paid 3000 dollars for my psych evaluation that clearly states I am not a threat to anyone in society, but everybody seems to refuse to take it into consideration.
I was going to suggest doing a canvassing job for environment california or calpirg. Its tough work, but it pays. Good luck and stay strong.
@Fred – been thinking about your original comment here for a while now and feel the need to respond… perhaps I am misinterpreting your mood, but you seem to have given up and are waiting for yet another shoe to drop. Make no mistake about it, it will drop, and your life will take yet another turn for the worse.
Personally, I am completely NOT understanding of the attitudes and actions of public officials who ignore scientific data and willingly violate the Constitution. Not for any reason, not even in an attempt to protect their own children. Certainly not for votes and political gain.
I am NOT okay with you not being able to participate in your son’s life and education and help him fulfill his potential as a person and tax payer.
Regarding the psych evaluation – THAT is the whole point of these efforts! Even if you found a sympathetic judge, even if the judge were your mother, there is NO vehicle provided in the penal code that it could even be taken into account. By your convictions a few decades ago and current law – regardless of the circumstances at the time and since then – this society has deemed you beyond redemption for the rest of your entire life. THAT is what this organization is attempting to change.
You have an unbelievable advocate in Janice. Most lawyers I know charge hundreds of dollars per hour and would not touch a career-killing cause like this with a ten foot pole, even when paid. But she cannot do it alone. Sadly, in this world (and this country especially), these kinds of things cost money.
Do you have a choice but to devote your life to fighting this? Can you afford not to? If you do not, you will soon no longer have a life worth living. That would make me sad for your family, especially your son.
If not you – who? If not now – when?
At least he cannot be accused of voting in his own best interests…
Santa Ana councilman faces sex assault charges
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-santa-ana-sex-crimes-20120704,0,5755672.story