Parolees use city motels

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has identified five motels in Costa Mesa where 23 registered sex offenders on parole may live, Costa Mesa police officials said last week.

The report, presented at a City Council study session, is based on numbers and data collected on July 23 by Costa Mesa police officials.

Councilwoman Katrina Foley requested the information from city staff at a July 5 council meeting in response to the concerns of some residents. Staff members presented their findings at the Tuesday session.

“The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has identified those five motels in Costa Mesa that are outside the half-mile radius where they can house sex offenders,” Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Robert B. Phillips said Wednesday.

The motels are: the Costa Mesa Motor Inn, 2277 Harbor Blvd.; the Ana Mesa Inn, 3597 Harbor Blvd.; the Ali Baba Motel, 2226 Newport Blvd.; the Tern Inn, 2154 Newport Blvd., and the Sea Lark Motor Hotel, 2274 Newport Blvd.

As of July 23, there were no sex offenders living in the Ali Baba Motel and the Tern Inn, Phillips said.

Today, the number of registered sex offenders may be different from the July 23 numbers because of individuals relocating.

All paroled sex offenders are restricted from living near public or private schools, K-12. The distance restriction ranges from one-quarter mile to one-half mile, depending on the seriousness of the crime.

Convicted sex offenders must register with their local police department for life.

The less serious offenders can live within a quarter mile of schools and parks, he said.

As of July 23, there were no “sexually violent predators” in Costa Mesa, which refers to people convicted of a sexually violent offense against two or more victims, Phillips said. The person also must have been diagnosed with a mental disorder that makes the individual likely to pose a danger to the health and safety of others.

Phillips said he does not want to alarm the public, but residents should be aware of the registered sex offenders in their community.

Of 152 registered sex offenders living in Costa Mesa, 25 are on parole and are prohibited from living within half mile or a quarter of a mile of schools.

All 25 parole sex offenders have served time in prison.

Out of concern for the children that live in his North Costa Mesa neighborhood, Mike Brumbaugh, a father of two, attended the study session.

Brumbaugh was one of two residents who spoke on the issue at the meeting attended by about 20 people.

“Children don’t ask to be brought into this world — we make that decision for them. And it’s our job as adults and leaders to provide a safe environment for them to grow up in,” said Brumbaugh, president of the Halecrest and Hall of Fame Homeowners Assn.

Across from the Costa Mesa Motor Inn on Harbor Boulevard, there is a “Play Place” McDonald’s that houses a playground inside the restaurant.

Standing outside the restaurant on his lunch break last week, Brent Amato said he was not aware that the motel was a place where the state places sex offenders.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea that they place them there,” said Amato, who has a 2-year-old son and lives on Wilson Street, around the corner from the motel.

“They should put them in certain zones far away from day cares and schools.”

The McDonald’s restaurant is inside the Harbor Center shopping center, which also includes a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant.