Regarding “Shelter draws complaints,” Feb. 11:
The current law regarding sex offenders states that they cannot live within 2,000 feet of schools or parks.
The state Department of Corrections has been paying to house sex offenders in compliant housing, but with the budget, they no longer will be paying beyond 60 days. This will have sex offenders scrambling to find places to sleep.
Mayor Dave Golonski’s proposal for a homeless shelter near the airport will be a location that will allow sex offenders to use those services. This will be a big draw, as there are very few compliant locations in Los Angeles County. This has been an ongoing problem for corrections as to where to house these parolees. The sex offenders who are on parole are on Global Positioning System tracking, but after they’re off parole, no one tracks them.
Sex offenders are mandated to register with the police, and that’s how they get on the websites. If they don’t register, no one knows where they are or if they’re using a shelter. Of course, when they’re not in the shelters, they are in the community.
As you can see, the current cold weather shelter is not a compliant location for any sex offender due to its proximity to the park.
It is irresponsible of the city to have allowed it there in the first place. The city has entrusted public safety to a nonprofit agency with a different agenda with no oversight.
There may be some steep liability for the city in being shortsighted about the laws regarding sex offenders.
The original agreement is the homeless would be bused in. That has proven not to always be the case.
Since the implementation of the cold weather shelter, there has been an increase in the number of homeless in the city.
Homelessness is a problem that government should address. However, it should be done responsibly.
There are more reasons for homelessness than just losing a job. Mental health concerns and drug use are big contributors.
There are also concerns that the Glendale armory was recently refurbished, and now it is suggested that site be abandoned to build a new armory in Burbank to house the homeless in the winter (“Glendale, Burbank may mix armories,” Feb. 11). Maybe that has more to do with the prime location it sits on in Glendale than helping the unfortunate.
By all means, help the homeless, but let’s do it honestly. I think there are many hidden agendas in the current plan.
Our police resources are being taxed, sex-offender laws are being broken and very real concerns of Burbank residents are being ignored.
Citizens who voice their concerns are attacked and accused of being uncaring isolationists in order to deflect from the real issues.
JACKIE WALTMAN is a Burbank resident.
