RIPON — The additional regulating of sex offenders within the City of Ripon was approved unanimously by City Council Tuesday night.

Ripon currently does not have a municipal code – other than state law – to restrict the movement of sex offender registrants within the community.  There are currently 16 known sex offenders living within the city limits who, by law, must register with the police annually.

Lt. Detective Anthony DeMarinis voiced the need through his report to restrict where a registrant may or may not visit or be involved in children’s activities as a way to further safeguard Ripon children.

He added that Ripon law needs to be an extension of California state law and be proactive in combating sexual abusers.

One sex registrant was renting a home in the community and living with a family where children visited. The resident of the home had no idea a registrant was renting a room in her home.  

DeMarinis said that if this situation were to come up again with the new municipal code in place, the police department would take action to avoid any further crimes.  

“Before a sex registrant is allowed to move into this city, restrictions need to be defined so the registrant is aware of his close monitoring,” he stressed.

 “We don’t want the City of Ripon to be a comfortable haven for child predators and people who may facilitate the ability for a child predator to knowingly allow access to a child,” he said.

Sex offenders are to be prohibited from loitering around or within 300 feet of a public or private school for children, a child care and development facility, a park or recreation facility, library, public and private playgrounds and play facilities, youth sports facilities, skate parks, public swimming pools, video arcade, amusement center or bus stops in the immediate vicinity of parks and schools.

When the ordinance becomes law any person in violation will be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor with a fine up to $1,000, or by imprisonment for up to one year or both.