The biggest unanswered question
Mar/31/2009 22:29
Tonight a significant group returned to the Burbank City Council to reiterate our opinions on the Winter Homeless Shelter that operated out of the National Guard Armory this last season.
The most common question asked by at least 6-7 people was: Did the City of Burbank violate Jessica’s Law by allowing the shelter to operate at the armory? Jessica’s Law restricts the housing, loitering of sex-offenders within 2000 feet of parks, and schools. Many cities are placing further restrictions to better protect their citizens.
The most common question asked by at least 6-7 people was: Did the City of Burbank violate Jessica’s Law by allowing the shelter to operate at the armory? Jessica’s Law restricts the housing, loitering of sex-offenders within 2000 feet of parks, and schools. Many cities are placing further restrictions to better protect their citizens.
Did no one from The City Attorney’s office flag this violation to the council?
Did no one from Los Angeles County know?
Did no one from LAHSA know? Eimago? Union Rescue Mission?
No one from the city council, staff, or city attorney offered ANY explanation. Not one person addressed the question. It was as if the question disappeared down a black hole.
During questioning by Dr Gordon about how ‘sighting’ of the shelter is decided, Carrie Gatlin of the URM and David Martel of LAHSA gave round-about answers of funding, contracts, and blah blah blah. Between the two of them they created a wall of static that would have put the room to sleep had they continued.
Some good news:
Vice Mayor Bric, while expressing support for the shelter, stated point blank that he would not support its return to that location. Which is in line with comments made by many in the area, and Councilman Gordon from the beginning.
Some may say it’s an easy position to take now that we are better aware of Jessica’s Law, and that the shelter probably couldn’t return there anyway.
To me, it is clear that it’s a personal decision for him. He stated quite sincerely and eloquently that should a homeless sex-offender, upon exiting the bus to the shelter, divert over to the park end up molesting a child, he simply couldn’t sleep with himself. Those are exactly the thought of many parents in the area.
That is the kind of real empathy our community needs from our council members.
Did no one from Los Angeles County know?
Did no one from LAHSA know? Eimago? Union Rescue Mission?
No one from the city council, staff, or city attorney offered ANY explanation. Not one person addressed the question. It was as if the question disappeared down a black hole.
During questioning by Dr Gordon about how ‘sighting’ of the shelter is decided, Carrie Gatlin of the URM and David Martel of LAHSA gave round-about answers of funding, contracts, and blah blah blah. Between the two of them they created a wall of static that would have put the room to sleep had they continued.
Some good news:
Vice Mayor Bric, while expressing support for the shelter, stated point blank that he would not support its return to that location. Which is in line with comments made by many in the area, and Councilman Gordon from the beginning.
Some may say it’s an easy position to take now that we are better aware of Jessica’s Law, and that the shelter probably couldn’t return there anyway.
To me, it is clear that it’s a personal decision for him. He stated quite sincerely and eloquently that should a homeless sex-offender, upon exiting the bus to the shelter, divert over to the park end up molesting a child, he simply couldn’t sleep with himself. Those are exactly the thought of many parents in the area.
That is the kind of real empathy our community needs from our council members.