Written by T. Logan Dayne
The Sexually Violent Predator Accountability, Fairness, and Enforcement Act (SAFE Act) has now been stalled after a 3-1 vote in the California Legislature. Republican Sen. Brian Jones along with Democratic Senator Ben Hueso and Democrat Assemblyman Jim Cooper helped author the bill and gained bipartisan support for it. The Bill mandates the reporting by The Director of the Department of State Hospitals to publicly report the population of Sexually Violent Predators in each county and their placement. Going further that the Department of State Hospitals take ownership of approving where these predators may be placed and giving outlines that public safety be the highest criteria of any potential placement.
“I don’t believe these predators should ever be allowed out in the first place, but if they are, the state needs to take responsibility for that and continue to keep our neighborhoods safe, which is what that bill aims to do,” said Senator Jones. The bill was stalled across party lines as Senators Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles) and Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) both voted no while Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) was absent. Scott Weiner (D-San Francisco), most recently known for banning state business with the majority of the U.S. and driving up prices and relaxing laws for registering child sex predators, also voted no. The only yes vote came from Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa).
Grassroots organizations such as Kids Safe California were saddened but not surprised to hear the bill was in jeopardy. Sarah Thompson, founder of Kids Safe California, stated that “Everyone should be behind this, it really shouldn’t cross a side, or should be right down the middle….So, these politicians that chose not to vote for it, or chose not to show up for it, we know who you are, and we’re going to make sure those people in your districts know you don’t want to support this and are not keeping children safe.” Such organizations are aiming at changes in the placement policies in California to keep children safe. The bill is up for reconsideration prior to April 29.
Photo Cred: California.com
