News Details (Posted: November 7, 2005):

Group homes in our city

Full Description:

To; Mayor Higgins and respected members of the Norco City Council: Many residents of Norco are concerned with the proliferation of group homes in our city, and are dismayed at the City’s inability to reassure them that known sexual predators will not be living in those group homes. Although many citizens have stood before you and asked for help, this council, has not given any indication that they have made progress towards solving this problem. Last week, I heard a news report regarding a law in the state of Iowa that prohibits sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a school or child care facility. I’ve done research to understand that law, including talking with a person responsible for the administration of the law. I’ve become convinced that we, the city of Norco, should put such a law into our municipal code. Before you think that we cannot do this, let me tell you that the law in Iowa has been upheld in the 8th district court of appeals and in the Supreme Court of the state of Iowa. Let me also tell you that there is an initiative, #1154, currently circulating for signatures here in California. This type of law, if intelligently written, can provide the protection that the citizens of Norco have been asking you for. I have copies of the law, the court decisions, and the California initiative that you may borrow to copy if you wish. I ask that you respond to the cries for help that you have already heard from the citizens of Norco and that you adopt a sexual predator residential restriction law at the soonest possible time. Jim Mercer