"I wish (this ordinance) could be even more restrictive, but everyone in this country has rights."

Jim Foreman

Hemet Mayor Pro Tem

Registered sex offenders in Hemet are now under tighter restriction after an amendment to an ordinance was approved by City Council Tuesday to keep them away from places where children congregate in the city and prevent more than one sex offender from living in a single home.

The change in the ordinance disallows registered sex offenders from moving within 2,000 feet of four specifically-named places within the city that are known for having children present. Those include the Hemet Public Library, the Fingerprints Youth Museum, the YMCA located at the Simpson Center, and the Police Activities League (PAL) locations.

Sex offenders are also prohibited from living within 2,000 feet of a state-licensed child care facility. State law already prohibits their presence within 2,000 feet of schools and public parks.

In addition to the living provisions, property owners within the city cannot rent to more than one registered offender at the same address. Sex offenders are prohibited from meeting together under the same roof as well, whether it is an apartment, home, or hotel.

"These are the most restrictive provisions we could write and still meet state law requirements," said Community Development Director Deanna Elliano. "We had to be sure there were still sufficient opportunities for housing in the city."

According to the Megan's Law online database, there are 235 registered sex offenders with a Hemet ZIP code.

"I like that Deanna said these are the most restrictive provisions we can write," said Mayor Pro Tem Jim Foreman. "I wish it could be even more restrictive, but everyone in this country has rights."

The new ordinance is not retroactive, meaning that registered sex offenders already living in these areas will not be forced to move.

"The law applies only to those who are registered from the effective date forward. If they relocate or move within the city it will apply to them. We cannot do this retroactively," Elliano said. All offenders who are released from here on will be under these provisions as well as any currently registered offender who is convicted of a crime in the future.

"It will be up to the Hemet Police Department to enforce this ordinance," Elliano said. Elliano said the map can be amended for state licensed child care facilities by administration, but museums, PAL locations, or other large public facilities will have to be brought back to the council and be specifically named and approved.

The ordinance is the sixth to pass under the Hemet ROCS, or Restoring Our Community Strategy, and the second that deals with sex offenders. The first established zones in which sex offenders cannot be within the city.

"This is another piece of the Hemet ROCS program," said Mayor Robert Youssef. "It is important as we are talking about protecting our children. Being sure our children have adequate protection is another big feather in the cap as far as Hemet ROCS goes."