HESPERIA — Reluctant to bow to state-level pressure, councilmen deferred adopting amendments to the city code about the regulation of sex offenders spurred by recent and pending court actions.
With two of the city’s five councilmen on vacation, the motion to approve the amendments died on a split vote (three yes were needed to pass).
Councilman Russ Blewett, who voted no, said after Tuesday’s meeting that he was basically protesting state laws and court decisions dictating what a city must do. Full Article
Blewitt sure lived up to his name. Why wouldn’t a public official keep the state’s constitution intact? Blew-it drank Tony’s kool-aid and it worked – at least for him…
So they amend the city ordinance to be in line with state law. In other words, they copy the state law, but just attach a city ordinance number to it. So what is the point of that?
I guess so that individual council members could technically say, if they run for higher office, that they passed a law in their city that was tough on sex offenders.
I regret that these elected officials will seemingly do anything to avoid obeying the laws. If I am not exempt from obeying the laws, why are they?
What makes it worse: the laws they so assiduously defend are of little or no value in protecting actual people.
Geez dude…you really blew-it if that’s what taxpayers get for public service…please resign or quit immediately for not supporting and defending the Constitution …you blew-it.
The Hesperia model? Are these stupid people trying to sound smart? It sure does look that way. OK Rachel Molina; go ahead and say –
“What distinguishes the ‘Hesperia model’ from action being taken by other cities is that we are not seeking to repeal our existing ordinance but rather seeking to amend it to align with state of California law.”
The only way I can imagine they can do that is to repeal their ordinance; then they will “align with state law.” I lived in the Victor Valley for aprox 8 yrs and I can say without a doubt that that area (The Victor Valley) is like Santa Ana in OC and Pomona in LA, I’ve lived in both of those cities too. What do these two cities have in common, you ask? Their crime problems are really high and registrants contribute a whopping 0% to their problem. Whenever I would hear of a “sex crime” it was always by someone not on the registry.
A sampling of what one would think would be more pressing issues for the cities in the High Desert are drugs; a whole lot of drugs. There are gangs; high school gangs, as well as outlaw motorcycle gangs. I can think of four outlaw motorcycle gangs off the top of my head. There are Crips, Bloods and allot of prostitution. There are assaults, rapes, robberies, fraud, etc, and they think a group with a re-offense rate of under 6% is a problem worthy of their undivided attention?
Sorry if I sound utterly amazed it’s because I am. I know allot of the media doesn’t like to report the truth about this issue. So; I recommend and encourage everyone and anyone to read the (2014 Tiering Report by the California Sex Offender Management Board).
http://www.cce.csus.edu/portal/admin/handouts/Tiering%20Background%20Paper%20FINAL%20FINAL%203-21-14%20(2).pdf
It’s insane to waste so much time and resources on a problem with such a low re-offense rate when the majority of other crime groups re-offend in the 70% range.
Remember folk’s; Ignorance is a choice. Don’t believe everything you are told without checking the facts for your self.
“Unfortunately a Face Book account is required to post a comment. If someone is willing to post this for the cause it would be greatly appreciated. Whoever posts this may edit it if they wish.”
I would venture a guess the Bot’s invaded this site?
Another City Council Meeting worth watching. Calls to violence, discussion about a certain attorney without naming names, righteous indignation all around.
http://hesperia.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=5&clip_id=1486 (#12, at 1:00:00)
In summary, Cowboy Government in the High Desert at its finest… quote Councilmember Blewett (at 1:17:55)
“I guess we can’t shoot them…. although that would be a great alternative. But we can combine Items 11 (Animal Control Ordinance) and 12 (RSO Ordinance) and maybe spay and neuter them. That would be a great thing to do”. Response: “You know if we can do that I’ll bring it back now” Chuckle chuckle.
It should be noted that the current ordinance is so far out of line with State law that it is absurd. No loitering within 500 feet of all kinds of uses including school bus stops and family home day care etc, and no residing within 4,000 feet of these uses. While not familiar with Hesperia it would appear that residence in this city is completely off limits, as well as being in any state other than perpetual motion (lacking a definition of “loitering”).
Staff Report http://www.cityofhesperia.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1239 #12
The ordinance amendment was shot down, instead continued to early August. This will give the City Council time to bask in the glory of standing strong, of what apparently has been dubbed “The Hesperia Model”.
One can only hope that the “Hesperia Model” will soon include a Federal Law Suit. Not that any of this is or should be personal, but maybe a certain attorney will take exception to the tone of the discussion?
Going past the pompous and borderline criminal platitudes by the city council, there is a troubling development that I picked up on.
The presenter, a legal associate working with a firm who is representing many cities who are opponents of Janice Bellucci and RSOL on many suits, stated that Janice has “accepted” Hesperia’s modification to allow for the continued enforcement of restriction registrants’ actions with regard to residency and proximity in the lawsuit because they “align with the state.” I am a bit puzzled, though. If true, doesn’t this essentially endorse the city’s justification for punishing registrants in the first place?
I would like to know more of what the game plan is involved here. It sounds as if Janice is signalling to other cities that they don’t have to repeal their laws, but just modify them to meet a state standard that is obviously in violation of state and federal constitutional law. WORSE, it can provide an incentive for cities to move forward and create their own local ordinances that are “in line with state law” as well.
While there may be some confidential legal strategy going on with this process that Janice doesn’t want to reveal, from my standpoint I can see how cities can use this action to move forward with their restrictions. Even some cities who Janice has already beaten through court settlements can reestablish their registrant restriction laws to the level of the state.
To me, this was the most jarring item on tape, even more than the blathering of the idiot city council.
Can we be clarified on this development from the position of CA RSOL officials? Thanks.
Could you(ericknight) keep your request as ‘you’ want ….”….leave ‘we’ outta your request …surely you don’t speak for me….just saying own your debbie downer comment as your own.
I just listened to and saw the vid on the July 15th council meeting in Hesperia. What a bunch of knee jerk Neanderthals.
Someone needs to send them a fact sheet on just who sex offenders are where most of the offenses against children come from (like relatives and close or trusted family friends).
They also seem ignorant of the fact that not all RSO are the same. As if all are sexual predators.
I understand that there are well meaning, but ignorant, people out there that are just trying to look out for their kids, but those three jokers on that council take the cake. Especially that one guy in the middle.
I really hope that CARSOL is able to do something soonest to pull these people’s choke chain.
I know Janice knows best, but man i wish these people could somehow be slapped down with some sort of “pull your head out of your A” letter or legsl filing.
If i wasn’t try for a Certificate of Rehab this year, I’d fire a letter off to each of them myself.
No use sending one anonymously as they’d just hold it up and deride it as being from some cowardly RSO…”like the one lurking outside your little girl’s bedroom window”.
Morons!