News Article About Meadows Victory

Six Sex Offenders to be Moved out of Altadena Group Home
"I was shocked and appalled to learn of their placement," assemblymember Anthony Portantino said
By STEVEN CISCHKE, Staff Writer
Thursday, February 28, 2008 3:57 pm
The California Department of Parole intends to relocate six, paroled sex offenders living in a group home in Altadena in the next few days, Assemblymember Anthony Portantino said Thursday in a release.
"I am pleased to report that after hearing the concerns of the community, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation will be relocating the six convicted sex offenders immediately," Portantino said.
"As were many others, I was shocked and appalled to learn of their placement and I question whether state law was intended to house six convicted sex offenders under one roof," he added. "I want to thank the vigilance of those in the community in bringing this issue out into the open."
According to the Department of Parole, the six individuals will be relocated out of the residence by Monday, March 3, the release said.
After residents of the "Meadows," a small, secluded Altadena community, learned the six registered sex offenders were living together in the neighborhood, they held a community meeting Tuesday.
They sought answers from local officials as to how it happened, whether it was legal, and what they could do about it.
Julianne Hines, Portantino's district director, told the crowd of about 150 people she was told by the Department of Corrections that the residence was selected because, as far as the department knew, it was in compliance with state laws that determine where registered sex offenders can be placed.
The residence was advertised to the parole unit as a "New Beginnings" program that meets the requirements for a program that serves six or fewer people, she said.