May 7, 2008

Pomona bans sex offenders

Pomona has essentially banned convicted sex offenders from legally moving into the city. Opponents of Proposition 83 on the 2006 ballot, known as Jessica's Law, warned that the measure would lead to this and now it has. First came registration, then disclosure, which was great. Then came GPS. Now a ban (accomplished by extending the perimeter around schools, parks and other "sensitive areas" within which sex offenders may not live). Prosecutors in other states that have tried similar approaches have warned that the policy is counterproductive because it drives sex offenders underground -- they live where they can get a place and just don't register. And if they do comply, they are forced to live in rural areas far from their families or the kind of services that might help them deal with their problem. Seems like we should keep criminals locked up until they have done the time society deems appropriate or we consider them safe to be on the street.

Posted by dweintraub on May 7, 2008 9:39 AM