Mixed feelings on loosening sex-offender rules

Residents are reacting to the state’s decision to loosen restrictions on where sex offenders can live. The 2,000 foot rule now only applies to offenders whose crimes were against children.

“You don’t want them too close to parks and schools,” said parent Nik Cirimele.

It’s called Jessica’s Law. The 2006 voter approved ban, preventing all registered sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools or parks. Earlier this month the state Supreme Court found the blanket prohibition unconstitutional.

“It was causing homelessness, lack of access to doctors, psycho therapy and a whole host of other problems,” said defense attorney David Greenberg.

Now, the department of corrections will apply the rule on a case by case bases to pedophiles and whose sex crimes involved children.

“There is that thin line there, if there is no offenses against kids, then I don’t think it’s too bad to let those ones off the restrictions,” said Cirimele.

“I think that if they are sexual offenders you don’t know if for sure that they haven’t been around kids, so I would worry about it,” said La Quinta resident Sandy Greenberg.

‘If they are creating more homeless people, it’s not really fair. Even if they didn’t offend a child, they still need to be able to live somewhere,” said parent Nicole Kramlich.

Since Jessica’s Law took effect, the number of homeless sex offenders went up 24 times according to a corrections department report.

“Those folks need to be monitored and the people who are monitoring them are finding it impossible to do because none of them can find a place to live,” said Greenberg.

The hope, is by relaxing the rule for those who qualify, law enforcement can better monitor these offenders when they find housing.

“They still have to be gps monitored, they still have to be registered, all of those requirements, it is just a matter of where they can live,” said Greenberg.

“I don’t want to see anybody be homeless, but I also don’t want to see another child or woman victimized either,” said Christopher’s Clubhouse Founder and victim’s advocate Mika Moulton .

It will take corrections officials about 60 days to review the files of about 6,000 sex offender parolees.