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The legal debate over a state law aimed at keeping sex offenders away from schools and parks is hitting Corona residents close to home this week.
Today, the Corona Police Department will hold a town hall meeting to explain the legal limbo of Jessica's Law to residents alarmed that a convicted sex offender moved into their community near a school and two parks.
Passed by voters in 2006, Jessica's Law prohibits registered sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools or parks. However, through a series of legal challenges, the courts are still trying to decide whether the law can be applied retroactively to offenders convicted and released before the law took effect.
Robert Keith Tyner, 47, is one of those offenders. Convicted and placed on probation five years ago for lewd and lascivious acts with a child younger than 14, Tyner is one of the sex offenders who can't be forced to move by Jessica's Law, said Corona Police Department Chief Richard Gonzales.
It is the first time since the law passed that the city has had to deal with a situation like this, added Gonzales. However, he added, "All cities and counties are in the same position."
Tyner recently moved into a quiet northern Corona neighborhood near Corona Ranch Elementary and Creste Verde and Village parks.
Patricia and Don Lacher live with their two children just down the street from Tyner.
"I think this is a terrible risk that our children have to suffer for," said Don Lacher, a retired police captain who teaches criminal justice at two colleges. "It's a sad commentary that we as a society can't really protect our children from these people."
Since Tyner moved into the neighborhood, Lacher's 11- and 14-year-old aren't allowed to play outside without supervision, and some of the parents of their friends won't allow their children to stay over, he said. Lacher said he and his wife have considered moving to get away from the situation.
"My daughter is sick to death over this. When she is out front, she has to look up and down the street, scanning her environment," said Lacher. "The fact that I've seen life's seedier side -- because of what I did for a living -- affects how I see this situation, but I've talked to a lot of parents who feel the same way."
Tyner, who answered the door at his Corona home, declined to comment.
He was convicted in October 2003 and sentenced to six months in jail. In December 2003, he was placed on five years probation, court documents show. Probation expires in December. As part of his probation, he was ordered not to associate with female minors unless an adult or probation officer was present and not to take a job in a business where minors are present.
Ingrid Wyatt, spokeswoman for the Riverside County district attorney's office, said Tyner would find himself in trouble if he failed to register with the state if he moves or commits another similar crime. "Doesn't sound to me like that's happened yet," Wyatt said. "It sounds like he's abiding by the rules."
Corona Police Department Town Hall
What: City leaders, Corona police and an official from the district attorney's office will talk to residents about Jessica's Law and why it can't be applied to a sex offender who recently moved into a Corona neighborhood.
When: 6 p.m. today
Where: Corona Ranch Elementary, 785 Village Loop Road
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