290 : February 2008 Archives

Here's what we'll be reporting tomorrow:

Six violent sex offenders living in an Altadena group home will be moved out over the next several days, officials said. The move comes after strong public protests from residents of the Meadows.

I don't know much mor ethan this...but we'll stay on top of this story.

On Wednesday, KFI' s John and Ken devoted their 6 p.m. hour to the sex offender clown house in Altadena. The began by taking issue with us for a "wimpy" headline -- "Residents decry halfway house." But also praised reporter Elise Kleeman's story.

A few members of the Altadena Town Council appeared on the show and discussed their opposition to the Sober Living residence for sex offenders in their neighborhood. They also said there's not much they can do without the help of County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, since Altadena is unincorporated.

Antonovich's spokesman Tony Bell called in to discuss the issue as well.

Nobody's heard from state officials nor the management of the house "New Horizions Sober Living", which appears to be branching out into the sex offender housing market.

There are a couple of Altadena blogs discussing the clown house too. They are The Meadows Blog, which originates from the neighborhood where the clown house is located. There's also the Altadena Blog, a more general blog about the unincorporated Los Angeles County community, which has this post on the subject.

An Altadena reader took offense with Thursday's column on the subject. Here what he had to say:

Re "High time to fix the system," in the Feb. 27th Pasadena Star-News:

I assume your piece is just an opinion piece, rather than what most would consider straightforward news. I haven't read your column before, so maybe I'm wrong. The situation of the convicts in Altadena is definitely alarming (I almost bought a house up there in '05) and deserves balanced coverage.

I think your article, & future reporting on this situation, would be more useful without the terrified editorializing. It's fine for you to quote residents, but you ought to trim your outrage. Give your readers facts and let them decide what to think.

E.g., have you done any legwork (phone calls, interviews, research, etc) to discover whether there's any correlation between the "groups of these men living together" and an increase in those areas in similar crimes? Or did you just sit down and bang this column out?

That seems a basic question. Without examining it, your article is half reporting (the residents' reactions) and half fear-mongering (your reaction). So far, fifty percent of your job remains undone. I'm probably not the only reader who wants more from the Star-News.

Regards,

John Sandel

Well not really. This one is a motel...Close to Disneyland and Knott's. Nice going California. This information comes from a letter I received today here's the letter:

Frank:
I read your column regarding RSO's in Altadena with interest.  I sent this email to DOJ in November of 2007.  To date I have had no response.
Jim Burton
 
-----Original Message-----
From: jim burton []
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2007 7:21 PM
To: 'MegansLaw@doj.ca.gov'
Subject: budget motel

To Whom it May Concern;
 
36 of the 62 RSO's living in Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 and according to the CA Attorney General's Meagan's Law Site,  are registered to a budget motel  13420 Firestone Blvd.  One appears to be registered to 13530 Firestone Blvd.
 
I have comments and questions:
 
Questions: 
1.  Is the travelling public made aware by law, law enforcement, or public or private policy that a budget motel near disneyland and knott's berry farm is occupied by 37 Registered Sex Offenders?
2.  Would a California citizen i.e. a man, wife, and 3 small children stay at this motel if this information were presented to them prior to their check-in?
3.  What liability would accrue to state or local governments should a crime occur against one of these kids, or their parents for that matter?
4.  Do you think that an effort should be made to pass legislation that would require these facilities occupied by RSO's  be required to advise the public?
 
Comments:
1.  This motel seems to be in a good location to provide residences to RSO's.  It is a very industrial area and near some restaurants and possible places of employment. 
2.  It seems that it is a matter of time that a serious crime will occurr unless there is some notification of the public that may happen by for a break in their travels and check in to this place.
 
I would appreciate a response
 

Respectfully,
 
 
Jim  Burton
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670