Restrictions may be added for sex offenders in the city

BURBANK — Reacting to the rush of cities across Los Angeles County clamping down on registered sex offenders, city officials Tuesday will weigh whether to pursue restricting residency and loitering of the convicted felons.

The meeting comes one month after Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich informed Burbank officials of the board’s decision to adopt an ordinance imposing residential restrictions on sex offenders that exceed those imposed by state law. Burbank officials are now considering adopting their own guidelines in addition to the new county rules.

The council plans to direct staff Tuesday to return with a detailed proposal that the council will later vote on.

Voters in 2006 approved the Sexual Predator Punishment and Control Act, commonly referred to as Jessica’s Law.

The law prohibits any person required to register as a sex offender from residing within 2,000 feet of public or private schools, as well as parks where children regularly gather.

The law also authorizes local governments to pass ordinances further restricting residency of any registered sex offender, said Burbank Police Lt. Ron Caruso. The Burbank Police Department on Tuesday will present a report to the City Council detailing measures taken by neighboring cities to address problems with sexual predators.

“This is a process that could take several weeks, likely months to complete,” Caruso said. “Our initial report is to protect from excessive staff time being dedicated to an issue the city may or may not be interested in pursuing.”

The issue of sex offenders living in and around city schools and parks came to a head last month when officials with the Union Rescue Mission, which collaborated to open a winter shelter at the National Guard Armory, revealed that eight sex offenders sought refuge there from December through March 15.

The armory at 3800 Valhalla Drive is within walking distance of a park, baseball diamond and at least three schools.

The city is home to 54 sex offenders, according to the California Department of Justice.

Despite news that the winter shelter may return to Glendale in December, Kenwood Street resident Lorena Garcia said she and her neighbors would not rest until leaders have done everything in their power to keep sexual predators away from schools and parks.