The Fresno County Board Of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a new law limiting the number of sex offenders that can live in a single-family home, following complaints from Old Fig Garden residents.
The law caps the number of sexual offenders to six per home, matching regulations set by the state, with property owners facing fines totaling over $50,000 for successive violations, a six-month jail sentence and potential litigation from the county.
About two dozen members of the public have spoken on the new law since it was first presented to the board last month — with those opposed to the ordinance pleading for at least more time to find new homes for some of the residents.
The board passed the law anyway on Tuesday, with Chair Garry Bredefeld, who was among the leaders who first introduced the ordinance last year, saying the law was a matter of public safety, and needed to be passed without delay.
“I’m concerned not about, frankly, the rights of the pedophile, but the rights of law-abiding citizens to live in safe communities and not worry about their children,” Bredefeld said.
Another potential penalty for violating the new law will be the loss of a business license, if you’re operating a facility for offenders out of a single-family home.
Supervisors acknowledged the new countywide laws target two homes in Old Fig Garden managed by Centers for Living, a faith-based transitional living and supportive services provider that houses some sexual offenders. The organization is run by…
“I personally don’t believe that these individuals should be living in residential neighborhoods, and not because I don’t trust you,” Supervisor Luis Chavez said to John Coyle, “but because I don’t trust the heart of men that have done these unspeakable things to children.”
So now this guy gets to play judge and jury with people’s lives? WTF And I think any public official who calls anyone the P word, without a doctor evaluating and determining the person is indeed a P word, should be sued for slander. Shame on all these people.
Have to wonder if @ACSOL is going to take this on to put a stop to it with a preliminary injunction and then be heard in US District Court for Eastern District of CA for judgement. Hope so.
The irony of a giant “In God We Trust” sign prominently displayed behind a council of cowards shutting down a Christian halfway house. Of the complaints made by neighbors, was a single one based on actual experience, or is this merely imagined harm? I suspect it’s the latter, because any actual harm coming from any of these residents would have made it into the article.
Out of curiosity, how many sex crimes were committed by residents of Old Fig Garden or a registered resident of since it was opened up? Guessing zero, as it isn’t even mentioned in the story.
If LA county adopted an ordinance like this it would cause catastrophic homelessness for people forced to register in LA county. LA county has kinda become a safe haven when it comes to people forced to register 90% of them stay in group homes or transitional living homes. People from all over California end up in LA because these types of services.
I wonder if the God they trust in would of approve their banishment. I would think God would have a few exchanges with their cruel hearts and judgement shellfish ways.
I’m interested to know why ACSOL didn’t ask the rso community to show up and speak up at this event? Is it because it’s aligned with the state law to have only six living in one house?
As is always the case, legal war is a registrant’s breakfast lunch and dinner.
Bredefeld sounds like another grandstanding pudding pusher. Human rights are God given, so he needs to STFDOOR.