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Jessica's Law Controversial Provisions - 'California Connected' Investigates

'California Connected' Dedicates A Full Episode to The Known - and More Importantly Unknown - Elements of Proposition 83, Better Known as ...Jessica's Law

With the elections just around the corner, California Connected unravels the finer details of the hotly debated Proposition 83, often referred to as Jessica's Law. If passed by the voters, Proposition 83 would become one of the toughest laws in the nation to clamp down on sex offenders. But Jessica's Law isn't without its controversy. Two of its key provisions have some people concerned that California may be going too far and could leave some communities at great risk. At issue is a proposed boundary barring sex offenders from living within two thousand feet of a school or a park. That rule could push predators out of California cities and into suburban and rural areas.

The measure would also require registered sex offenders to wear a satellite tracking device for the rest of their lives. Opponents question the cost of that GPS device and the manpower needed to monitor the almost 100,000 sex offenders registered in the state.

California Connected traveled the state to get all sides of the debate. Below, please find poignant quotes from interviews conducted by anchor and correspondent Lisa McRee.

"We are missing one in four sex offenders who are supposed to register but just don't. We have children at risk...." said Republican State Senator George Runner, sponsor of Proposition 83.

"I call it (GPS ) the lo-jack for sex offenders. For those that have served a prison term, they'll be on it for a lifetime and if they're able to pay they'll pay for it themselves," said District Attorney of San Diego Bonnie Dumanis, strong supporter of Proposition 83

"GPS does not prevent crime. We are talking hundreds of millions of dollars annually, for in my opinion, no greater public safety," said Mark Leno, Chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee

"In between (parks and schools) we're gonna have these areas where these perpetrators can reside and it kinda punishes people that are not close to a park or school," said Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford in regards to registered sex offenders having to live 2000 feet from a school, park, etc. Ledford continues, "I'm thinking of creating pocket parks that would establish a no predator zone. We are going to have to get real creative."

Before heading to the polls, tune-in to our special "Jessica's Law" edition of California Connected Friday, September 29.

Please Check Local Listings for show times

California Connected is an award-winning, news magazine produced through a unique collaboration of four PBS stations: KCET-Los Angeles, KPBS-San Diego, KQED-San Francisco and KVIE-Sacramento.

www.californiaconnected.org
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alan@newsblaze.com