System would notify community if offenders took up residence near child care centers.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich calling for the development of a countywide alert system to notify local officials when a sex offender attempts to register at an address of a state-licensed foster or child care facility.

Under state law, foster and daycare licensees have the responsibility to report the names of any adults living in or associated with their facilities.  However, a state audit on April 16 revealed that, of the 75,000 community care facilities licensed by the State’s Community Care Licensing Division, the addresses of 49 registered sex offenders matched those of 46 licensed facilities statewide, including foster and child care homes. 

“We need a reliable mechanism that coordinates State and County databases and sends a red flag whenever a sex predator attempts to register at a location that serves the needs of children,” said Antonovich.   

Antonovich has also initiated a strict new county ordinance that strengthens the state’s residency restrictions for sex offenders.  The ordinance will be considered by the Board after county departments have completed a required mapping study in 60 days.

Antonovich also initiated the County’s on-line Sex Offender Locator Map in 2002 and the County’s Amber Alert system, which has become a model for the state and other jurisdictions nationwide.