Politics & Government

(Video) Park Sex Offender Ban: Is it Legal?

City Attorney William Curley warned the City Council that a new ordinance banning sex offenders from city parks may be challenged in a court of law. But a council member says passing the law is urgently needed.

When resident Kelly Hagins addressed the Mission Viejo City Council Monday night, she told how difficult it was to get a child pornographer to stop taking photos of her son and other neighborhood children.

It was during the Council's consideration of a new law to ban sex offenders from city parks. Orange County passed a similar law in April, but that law only applies to county parks, beaches and harbors.

Hagins wanted the city to pass a law to extend the same protections to residents against sex predators in city parks.

Find out what's happening in Mission Viejowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

City Attorney William Curley said the ordinance will have to be closely examined, though. Similar laws enacted in San Diego and Los Angeles have been challenged in court, he said.

See video above to learn more.

Find out what's happening in Mission Viejowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht introduced the bill. She said it was partly inspired by her own sister, who was threatened by a sex offender in a Mission Viejo park while walking her dog.

Schlicht said that despite possible Constitutional challenges, the law is urgently needed.


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