County supervisors plan sex-offender ban in parks

The Orange County Board of Supervisors is planning to adopt an ordinance Tuesday that would bar registered sex offenders from entering the county’s parks — including its beaches, wilderness areas and harbors.

The rules would apply to offshore sections of Newport Beach.

Supervisor Shawn Nelson and Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckas said they proposed the law to protect children.

“Parks do not belong to sexual deviants,” Rackauckas said in a statement. “Parks belong to children who want to play there and parents who want to enjoy nature with their children.”

Sex offenders who enter a park without county permission would face six months in jail or a $500 fine. Already, sex offenders are prohibited from living within 2,000 feet of any school or park in California, per the 2006 voter-enacted Jessica’s Law.

On the list of restricted places are Irvine Regional Park, Newport Harbor, Salt Creek Beach Park, Dana Point Harbor, Mile Square Regional Park and the Orange County Zoo.

—Mike Reicher