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Three months after a new law took effect regarding registered sex offenders in South Lake Tahoe, authorities have been notifying the city's 40 or so offenders about the new rules.
The regulation came in response to Proposition 83 in 2005, also known as Jessica's Law, prohibiting offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a park or school, according to the South Lake Tahoe Police Department.
In addition, the city's ordinance prohibits sex offenders from loitering in areas within 300 feet of where children congregate.
The ordinance in South Lake Tahoe that passed Aug. 21 and went into effect Sept. 21 reads that "registered sex offenders are prohibited from being within 300 feet of any public or private schools for children, centers or facilities that provide day care or children services, video arcades, public and private playgrounds and play facilities, parks, youth sports facilities, skate parks, public swimming pools and bus stops."
The California Attorney General's sex offender Web site (www.meganslaw.ca.gov) on Wednesday listed 43 registered sex offenders living in South Lake Tahoe.
They are required to register with the city. Sex offenders are not required to move if they already live in a restricted area but cannot move into one.
"They can stay where they are and can't move into restricted areas," said South Lake Tahoe Police Department Community Service Officer Bob Albertazzi.
Albertazzi said all sex offenders are warned about any changes that occur.
"Letters are sent to all sex registrants explaining the situation," Albertazzi said. "We took proactive measures in letting them know what is going on."
Albertazzi said the police department's objective is to keep track of where sex offenders are located.
"The police department goal is to enforce the ordinance and the law and maintain where they are," he said.
Sex offenders are required to register each year on their birthday or whenever they move. If they do not register through the Department of Justice, they are in violation of the law and can be arrested.
The term "sex offender" refers to both felony and misdemeanor convictions. If an individual is required to register as a sex offender under the California Penal Code, the fact that the person was convicted of a felony or misdemeanor is of no consequence.
St. Theresa School Principal Danette Winslow, who also is a parent, said she supports the city's ordinance.
"As far as where children are, I think it's great," Winslow said.
Winslow says she and her school staff take measures to ensure their students are safe from predators.
"With anything suspicious we get the authorities involved," she said. "We're very careful and aware."
"We as parents and educators that work in these areas need to be aware of what's going on," Winslow said. "I don't think everyone is a predator. But we have to think they are to protect children."
"If it's someone we don't recognize, we call the police right away. You can't be too cautious these days."
The regulation came in response to Proposition 83 in 2005, also known as Jessica's Law, prohibiting offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a park or school, according to the South Lake Tahoe Police Department.
In addition, the city's ordinance prohibits sex offenders from loitering in areas within 300 feet of where children congregate.
The ordinance in South Lake Tahoe that passed Aug. 21 and went into effect Sept. 21 reads that "registered sex offenders are prohibited from being within 300 feet of any public or private schools for children, centers or facilities that provide day care or children services, video arcades, public and private playgrounds and play facilities, parks, youth sports facilities, skate parks, public swimming pools and bus stops."
The California Attorney General's sex offender Web site (www.meganslaw.ca.gov) on Wednesday listed 43 registered sex offenders living in South Lake Tahoe.
They are required to register with the city. Sex offenders are not required to move if they already live in a restricted area but cannot move into one.
"They can stay where they are and can't move into restricted areas," said South Lake Tahoe Police Department Community Service Officer Bob Albertazzi.
Albertazzi said all sex offenders are warned about any changes that occur.
"Letters are sent to all sex registrants explaining the situation," Albertazzi said. "We took proactive measures in letting them know what is going on."
Albertazzi said the police department's objective is to keep track of where sex offenders are located.
"The police department goal is to enforce the ordinance and the law and maintain where they are," he said.
Sex offenders are required to register each year on their birthday or whenever they move. If they do not register through the Department of Justice, they are in violation of the law and can be arrested.
The term "sex offender" refers to both felony and misdemeanor convictions. If an individual is required to register as a sex offender under the California Penal Code, the fact that the person was convicted of a felony or misdemeanor is of no consequence.
St. Theresa School Principal Danette Winslow, who also is a parent, said she supports the city's ordinance.
"As far as where children are, I think it's great," Winslow said.
Winslow says she and her school staff take measures to ensure their students are safe from predators.
"With anything suspicious we get the authorities involved," she said. "We're very careful and aware."
"We as parents and educators that work in these areas need to be aware of what's going on," Winslow said. "I don't think everyone is a predator. But we have to think they are to protect children."
"If it's someone we don't recognize, we call the police right away. You can't be too cautious these days."
