When an Atascadero sex offender listed on the state’s Megan Law website was charged last month with committing sex crimes against a child, it wasn’t just the disturbing nature of the allegations that stood out.
It was the man’s address.
____ ____, who previously served prison time for lewd acts against a child under 14, was registered as living directly across the street from Colony Park and one block from the Fine Arts Academy.
Atascadero police records indicate that the most recent allegations against ____ are not related to his proximity to the park where young children play softball and soccer, but the scenario raised the question: Are registered sex offenders allowed to live next to parks and schools? Full Article
Atascadero Police Chief Jerel Haley, whose department also has a detective assigned to tracking the city’s resident and transient offenders….
“In some cases there may be nothing that can, or should, be done,” Haley said. “Just because someone is a registrant, does not mean that they are a threat to public safety.”
does not mean they are a threat to public safety…. imagine that.
Annoying headline, but the content of this article is surprisingly balanced and, in fact, positive, especially the repeated acknowledgments that the proximity of one’s residence to schools and parks is irrelevant to re-offense rates.