Huntington Beach to draft sex-offender ordinance
The Huntington Beach City Council voted unanimously this week to order its city attorney to draft an ordinance that would prohibit registered sex offenders from city parks and beaches.
Council members, however, said they are divided on how the law would be implemented and how effective it would be in keeping sex offenders out of parks and beaches.
Council members Connie Boardman, Joe Shaw and Keith Bohr expressed concerns about an ordinance that would apply to those whose offenses were less severe, such as individuals who were convicted for public urination. The three said they would be more comfortable with an ordinance that would ban loitering.
A similar law was passed by the Orange County Board of Supervisors in April. The ordinance prohibits sex offenders from entering county beaches or parks without permission from the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckas and Supervisor Shawn Nelson have sent letters to each city in Orange County urging passage of an ordinance banning registered sex offenders from entering county parks without written permission from the sheriff. The city of Irvine is also considering the matter and has asked for a staff review.
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-- Mona Shadia, Huntington Beach Independent / Times Community News
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