Los Angeles County Municipal Code Ch. 4.49 Rewards Related to Sex Offenders

A.

Federal, State, and local jurisdictions are often seeking the public's help in finding dangerous sex offenders who have either failed to report to their parole officer, cut off their Global Positioning System ankle bracelets or let their tracking devices' batteries die.

B.

In 2013, Operation Guardian, led by the U.S. Marshal Service, arrested 345 non-compliant and dangerous sex offenders. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder acknowledged the use of local assistance in safeguarding abuse and exploitation of young people in our communities.

C.

In Los Angeles County, it has been reported that Global Positioning System warrants for sex offenders have increased up to seventy percent (70%).

D.

Sex offenders under active probation or parole supervision have to abide by certain terms and conditions of supervision which could be revoked if they fail to follow those terms and conditions, including tampering with their Global Positioning System ankle bracelets.

E.

Government Code section 26227 authorizes the board of supervisors of any county to appropriate and expend money from the general fund of the county to establish county programs or to fund other programs deemed by the board of supervisors to be necessary to meet the social needs of the population of the county, including but not limited to, the areas of law enforcement and public safety.

F.

The Board of Supervisors finds that sex offenders who abscond while on active parole or probation pose a significant risk to public safety in all communities in the County.

G.

The Board of Supervisors, therefore, finds that offering rewards in exchange for information leading to locating or apprehending sex offenders who abscond while on active parole or probation is necessary to meet the social needs of the population of the county in the area of law enforcement and public safety.

(Ord. 2015-0036 § 1, 2015.)

probation.

A reward may be offered by the Board of Supervisors for information leading to locating or apprehending sex offenders who abscond while on parole or probation. The reward offer shall specify the amount of the reward.

(Ord. 2015-0036 § 1, 2015.)

A reward may be offered up to a maximum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) payable in equal shares from the discretionary funds of each member of the Board of Supervisors. Where it appears the community is at great risk, the Board of Supervisors may increase the reward offer. Private donations may be added to County funds to increase the size of the reward offer.

(Ord. 2015-0036 § 1, 2015.)

Reward offers and notices of the claim period shall be published by the Executive Officer of the Board of Supervisors, in accordance with the provisions of section 6062 of the Government Code.

(Ord. 2015-0036 § 1, 2015.)

For a reward to be considered, the information must be received by the appropriate Law Enforcement agency or County department within ninety (90) days of the reward offer. The Board of Supervisors may, by motion, extend the period to provide information. No single extension may exceed one hundred eighty (180) days.

(Ord. 2015-0036 § 1, 2015.)

Claims for reward offers must be submitted in writing to the Executive Officer of the Board of Supervisors within sixty (60) days after the expiration of the period to provide information. The Board of Supervisors may, by motion, extend the period to submit a claim.

(Ord. 2015-0036 § 1, 2015.)

All claims shall be in writing and provide the name, address, and telephone number of the claimant and the involved Law Enforcement agency.

(Ord. 2015-0036 § 1, 2015.)

Claims are to be reviewed by a representative from each of the following County departments: Chief Executive Office, County Counsel, Sheriff, Executive Office of the Board of Supervisors, and when applicable, the Probation Department. The

representatives shall make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors with regard to amounts and distribution of the reward. If necessary, other affected outside agencies may be consulted to determine the merit and validity of a claim.

(Ord. 2015-0036 § 1, 2015.)

The ordinance codified in this Chapter is enacted pursuant to section 26227 of the Government Code of the State of California.

(Ord. 2015-0036 § 1, 2015.)