Will Lake Charles' tough new sex offender law go parish wide? Calcasieu Police jurors Thursday night discussed the possibility of joining in with the city on its new ordinance which raises registration fees for sex offenders from 60 dollars to 600 dollars. But the police jury attorney Allen Smith warns that local ordinances drastically raising fees for sex offender registration may be unconstitutional under both the U.S. and state consitutions. Attorneys from the various jurisdictions and the district attorney will meet behind closed doors next Wednesday to have a round table discussion on the issues. What do you think? Should the new sex offender law be adopted by the entire parish? And what about the constitutionality of the law? Would it withstand legal challenges?
most of these offenders are not a threat to are city.why keep punishing them,how bout we break them down in catagorys and keep are eyes on the dangerous ones.you keep pushing these people and then they have know where to go they might start lashing back.Knowing they are going back to jail they might do something serious like going postal on a bunch of innocent people....STOP PUNISHING THEM OVER OVER OVER
Posted by: J Taylor | January 28, 2011 at 05:09 AM
O.K. first the people of Lake Charles, now the people of Calcasieu Parish... shame on you people. What if God didn't give you a second chance? We all have a past, the only difference is some of us were caught and others were very lucky. Just sit back and think... have you ever used the restroom outside? walked nude in front of your little children? or even some have had sex in the same room while their infant child was sleeping. Wow I bet you didn't think that was a crime? Well you just didn't caught. I have said it once and I will say it again... these people have paid their debt to society and they want to live their lives. LEAVE THEM ALONE!!!!!! I feel that this is very unconstitutional. Some of us are so quick to judge others, until it is us... then we want mercy. Watch yourself when you point fingers at others, there are two pointing back at you. Who will be the next group of people that Lake Charles and Calcasieu want to outlaw? Overweight people, Gays, Blacks, single parents, Christians! I know that Mayor Roach and Kevin Guidry, my Police Jury are men of faith and they will do the right thing. Shame of Lake Charles and Calcasieu Parish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Concerned Resident | January 28, 2011 at 07:19 AM
I think it will be found to be un constitutional. What amazes me is that the city council did not look into the contitution before passing this ordinance. I think there ego's got in the way of their common sense. They wanted to look good so fast. "Hey yall, look what we did!" It's going to turn around and bite them in the butte. You heard it first right here. It's going to be fun to watch how they try to save face. (Council) Who needs T.V. this is better.
Posted by: knot hole | January 28, 2011 at 07:27 AM
This is UNCONSTITUTIONAL. You can not make a law just because you don't want "something" or "someone" in your parish. Laws have to be fair for all parties involved. They must have foundation and good reason before this will be constitutional. But after hearing one council member already saying that he "thinks sex offenders are disgusting, and does not want them in the City of Lake Charles, so he thinks raising the fee would drive them out." That statement alone would break any of the arguments the local government would have. Some people should think twice before they make laws of this nature.
Posted by: Leaper | January 28, 2011 at 07:35 AM
Has our pious panel of pundits (Police Jury) forgotten the embarrassment that they caused us by refusing the liquor license to the Vinton strip club?
Here's my question: If you are in the business of trying to convince everybody of how righteous your group is, then why not get on with it.
Let's charge them $10,000 to live here.
Posted by: Gump | January 28, 2011 at 07:40 AM
Odd and Sad that not too many years ago they would have been quietly " Eliminated " by a certain secret organization , but now today in our " Accept the Trash or Else " society we are debating their Living future.
What a waste of B.S. Does one really care about these preverts or does it just make you " Feel " PC ? Hang 'em high and let Lucifer sort their sick , dark , souless out in Hell. First comes the molestation , then comes the MURDER. Prove me wrong shrinks! Aren't you glad that pseudo-military faggots will soon protect your sorry 'hind ( scary ) What does Barry Boy have in store for us next , Pedophile Nannies ??
Posted by: Nano-Nuclear Narcisse | January 28, 2011 at 08:02 AM
OFF TOPIC -- to Obie One
I did answer the question --"Which programs are we talking about? The readers can't answer the question intelligently without specifics."
The inference is....each program should be looked at individually and then an intelligent decision can be made.
ON TOPIC --
What do you think? Should the new sex offender law be adopted by the entire parish? And what about the constitutionality of the law? Would it withstand legal challenges?
I don't know what to think because I haven't gathered enough information to make an intelligent comment. I will say this though...I'm not a lawyer so is it Constitutional? I don't know...Would it withstand legal challenges? I don't know.
Posted by: Mom | January 28, 2011 at 08:13 AM
i think it should be pasted parish wide.the sex offenders should not have done it in the first place and they would not be in this predicament if they would have keep their hands to them self....
Posted by: valerie | January 28, 2011 at 09:07 AM
It's just your opinion, you don't have to research every blog question for knowledge and information. If you don't know anything then don't comment. Mute point!
Posted by: Obie one | January 28, 2011 at 09:09 AM
What the heck is a "Mute point"?
How can a point be "mute"? It wouldn't be a point if it is mute.
Maybe you meant something else.
Posted by: Gump | January 28, 2011 at 10:22 AM
In my opinion the Lake charles city council is a stupid bunch of clowns and if the police jury goes along with them I think they are too.if these people served their time for the crime leave them alone and stop passing stupid vote getting laws that may very well cost us, the Tax Payers a lot of money defending them.Like the one where the police jury voted not to issue a liquor license to an establishment in Vinton that met all the qualifications to be issued one .The police jury sucumbed to the wishes of one of the churches because they thought it might get them more votes and the taxpayers had to pick up the tab to represent theit stupid a---s when the court ruled against them.The lake charles City councin has been passing alot of dumb laws lately like the live stock law and the law prohibiting adult stores from operating anywhere but industrial areas,what pray tell does that accomplish..DUMB>>DUMB>>DUMB..How about passing a law that the people of Calcasieu have to change elected representatives every election so mabey we could get some officials that are a little brighter.
Posted by: just saying | January 28, 2011 at 11:10 AM
We all know this law has nothing to with protecting the people of LC. Its a show the city council is putting on to make it look like they are doing something and at the same time they can raise more money from the sex offenders.
Posted by: steve | January 28, 2011 at 11:32 AM
I believe that this law is unconstitutional and should be erased. These people committed a crime, true, but they have served their prison terms and now just want to try and live their lives. If they have to pay a fee to register, I say make all criminals getting out of jail or prison, register and pay a fee also. Don't know about you, but I would rather have a sex offender who was guilty of having porn pictures on his computer, living next to me, than a convicted murderer.
Posted by: FedUp | January 28, 2011 at 12:18 PM
i would like it if the $600.00 fee was nation wide. any one who defends a sex offender obviously does not know the damage that is done to the victom. the victom has a life sentence and the sex offender usually continues his crime, always looking for yet another victom. i know because i am a victom "survivor" i am 50+ and to this day i still have certain triggers. i have been through therpy, it has helped a lot. at least now i am aware and can deal with the triggers.
to all you sex offenders $600.00 is just a drop in the bucket compared to what you have caused your victoms to endure.
Posted by: survivor of an offender | January 28, 2011 at 12:29 PM
The sex offender has paid for their crime. Leave them alone. If you really look at everything how about the picture of a naked baby posted on a wall where the parent works for everyone to see? This new ordinance is just another way of showing how stupid the governing body of Lake Charles and Calcasieu parish are. You go after the sex offender but there is a drug dealer on every corner. If the sex offender is a repeat offender then he will get a harsher sentence up to life in prison. Most sex ofenders that are living in our area are one time offenders that made a mistake. Any of you that have never made a mistake cast the first stone or shut up!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Rebecca Falls | January 28, 2011 at 01:27 PM
I agree with Leaper. This law is discriminatory at best and probably unconstitutional as well. Do the crime, do your time and then get on with your life without further harassment. For those of you who like to throw rocks...no, I am not a sex offender but neither do I think that these people deserve to be treated any more harshly than a murderer. I was sexually abused briefly as a young child but never spoke up and didn't tell my parents. I still remember the occasions but I'm intelligent and well adjusted enough to not let it influence my life. All of you sex-offender activists should find something useful to do and quit persecuting others.
Posted by: Mike | January 28, 2011 at 02:19 PM
Here we go again. Between the Lake Charles City Council and the Calcasieu Police Jury I'm not sure which one is the most irresponsible. They both can't wait to get a law suit filed by the ACLU aginist the taxpayers of this parish. We the taxpayer, will be the one to pay the price for this insanity!
Posted by: Buck | January 28, 2011 at 05:02 PM
Ok...to all you people who think they deserve a second chance...why don't you welcome them into your home for a second chance? You seem to think of only them..what about the children they have hurt...the families they have torn apart and the lives totally destroyed by their inability to NOT be a pervert. You have touched a nerve of someone who has been directly affected by one of these misfits. I believe they should have a second chance on an island far from any other children..somewhere they can have a second chance together enjoying one anothers company. Forgiving is one thing..I have forgiven the pervert that distroyed my childrens childhood/teen years. Forgetting is something I'll never do..nor will I put my guards down. I hope this new enforcement makes them all go away..then we can all sleep better! And if you want to enjoy their company..move with them!
Posted by: Deborah Weeks | January 28, 2011 at 05:23 PM
Dear Ms Deborah Weeks,
Well I am sorry you feel that way. My prayers go out to you and your family and I pray the peace of God over you and your children. But, if you have really forgiven this person than God will give you peace and rest for you and your kids. So maybe you have not forgiven this person. Unforgiveness is a blessing blocker. You have to forgive and let go. These laws will not protect you or give you peace at night. Hell the city council and police jury won't even give you the fee money as a victim. You need to pray. I am not being ugly, I just feel your pain and I have been there. I think that you can restore your children and your family by truly forgiving and letting go. Get your blessings Ms Weeks. Don't let this steal your joy for a lifetime. You still have to play a fair game to set and example for your children. God gave you a second chance and you have to do the same!
Posted by: Praying for the people | January 28, 2011 at 06:16 PM
After the attorneys from the various jurisdictions and the district attorney conclude their meeting behind closed doors and they tell me what they decided on the new sex offender law, I'll be in touch with you.
What about the constitutionality of the law? Is it or isn't it??? My Ouija board is in the shop so I have no way of knowing would it withstand legal challenges.
As soon as my Ouija board is fixed, I will let you know what I found out...
Posted by: Moi | January 29, 2011 at 01:30 AM
The trouble with the Law is there are too many Lawyers ................. The Trouble with the Lawyers is there are too many LAWS
CATCH-22
The trouble with justice is there are too many Justices - BUT the trouble with the justices is that there is NO JUSTICE !
Let the Vigilanties Ride - Bring back the Hood and Capes and the noose - High 'em High
Let's do something really radical , put the kids in Prison , that will protect them from the PERVERTS - UNcles , Aunts, Daddy's , Cousins , Policemen , Priests and cartoons
Posted by: Anal-Nuclear Narcisse | January 29, 2011 at 07:56 AM
Dear Praying for the people
Please don't preach to me about something you know nothing about. I have forgiven the pervert...and I don't wake up every morning hating him. Forgeting is a different story. I am sorry that the memory God gave me won't allow me to erase the hurt, deceitfulness and destruction he caused my family. I not only think about my children in siuations like this...I think about all children. If you so choose to have a pervert live with you or next door to you...so be it...you have that choice....I don't want the perv's anywhere around me. I do not want a repeat of what we have been through. I am not hating on all the perv's in the world..I just don't want them anywhere near me....And FYI...I am a God fearing, always praying woman!
Posted by: Deborah Weeks | January 29, 2011 at 08:36 AM
Well Deborah Weeks; you can pass all the laws you want to passed about these misfits: The bottom line is they will NEVER GO AWAY. You get rid of one and another shows up. Watching the news another person/persons are charged with something involving some crime against children.
You can't talk about forgiveness and not truly forgive in your heart. Triing to nickpick by distinquishing between forgiveness and memory does not work. Especially when you are still angry, as you sound. God determines how forgiveness is given and he established the rules.
The constitutionality of the law is extremely weak. This law violate Civil Rights no it's face so bad that no Judge can find in favor of this law.
Another thing I don't understand is: How did the Police Jury get involved in this new ordinance? This is all the Lake Charles City Council: Who was the dumby to bring the Police Jury into it?
Posted by: Joe | January 29, 2011 at 10:19 AM
While they are trying to enforce some new sex offender laws they may as well arrest the whole police force because they are the main sex offenders, thieves, hypocrites, murderers, drug dealers, rapists, and marijuana users in the state of Louisiana. They just haven't gotten caught and probably never will.
Posted by: Nicole | January 29, 2011 at 04:45 PM
Well Joe
You just don't get it...I am not angry at the misfit pervert that did the things he did to my family...I don't have time to sit and dwell on his ignorance. So be it if you wish to house perverts and invite them into your neighborhood. Let them rape your wife..children and even your grandchildren, possibly neices, nephews...family friends, neighborhood children...go ahead...I think you said your name was Mr. I Want To Defend The Lake Area Perverts..go ahead...when it happens to someone you care for lets see how the shoe fits. I am not angry..I merely pray that God gives them exactly what he deserves. You continue defending the "poor helpless perverts" and I will continue standing up for those so seriously impacted by the very people you stand up for.
Posted by: Deborah Weeks | January 29, 2011 at 06:21 PM