Home > News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > Sex Offenders Can’t Operate Ice Cream Trucks (Update)

Sex Offenders Can’t Operate Ice Cream Trucks (Update)

Assemblyman Cook Introduces Legislation

By Michael P. Neufeld
Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Update 2 — Wednesday 7:50 a.m.

San Bernardino, CA - San Bernardino County Supervisors agree with Assemblyman Paul Cook, who represents part of the mountain communities, about not allowing registered sex offenders to operate ice cream truck.

In fact, supervisors voted Tuesday to support Cook's Assembly Bill 2169 addressing that very issue. In addition, they directed county staff to draft provisions of the San Bernardino County Code, which provide for issuing business licenses of ice cream truck operators, to establish a procedure to issuing business licenses to those intending to peddle ice cream.

First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt's agenda item calls for the county to address a practical solution to a dangerous problem. The item was presented by Director of Legislative Affairs Lance Larson.

Assemblyman Paul Cook (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Original Story - February 24, 2008

Sacramento, CA – Assemblyman Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) doesn't want registered sex offenders operating ice cream trucks. In fact, Cook has introduced Assembly Bill 2169 to prohibit the issuance of a business license to operate an ice cream truck to any person who is required to register as a sex offender.

"People who operate this type of business," Cook stated in a prepared release, "are afforded the opportunity to have unsupervised contact with minors. Without question, sex offenders shouldn't be given this right."

Cook's legislation requires that any city or county licensing agency immediately reject applications submitted by persons required to register pursuant to the Sex Offender registration Act.

Cook's office was made aware of a situation last July when 48-year-old Anthony Toles was spotted operating a green ice cream truck in the Villages of Avalon housing development near Lake Perris. Toles picture was spotted on the Megan's Law website and residents distributed flyers alerting parents that the ice cream truck driver was on the site.

The legislation introduced last week just beating Friday's deadline for bill submission is one of about 1,900 bills introduced in this legislative session. More than 650 bills were introduced Friday.

Assemblyman Paul Cook (center) has established mobile offices in Big Bear and Running Springs on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Staff members, including Timothy Intyre (left) and George Price (right), are expected to answer constituent questions. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Cook, whose staff will be holding mobile office hours on Tuesday in Big Bear Lake (10 a.m.-noon at City Hall) and Running Springs (1-3 p.m. at the Running Springs Area Chamber of Commerce), also introduced Assembly Bill 2170 (fireworks). That bill would ban fireworks—even so-called safe and sane" products—in fire areas designated as highly hazardous by CalFire. A violation would be a misdemeanor.

Another piece of legislation introduced by Cook, AB 1068 also deals with sex offenders. That bill would provide than any person required to register as a sex offender who was convicted of a sex offense involving a minor, cannot park their motor vehicle within 200 feet of a school.

The measure states that an offender found to be in a parked motor vehicle that is owned by the sex registrant within 200 feet of a school that provides kindergarten through high school education, is guilty of an infraction, punishable by having the vehicle impounded for 30 days.

AB 2641 (military service) is another piece of legislation introduced by Cook on Friday. The measure requires the governor and each state agency and department to appoint an ombudsman to take complains, as specified, and to resolve and coordinate the resolution of those complains from state employees that are members of the California National Guard or members of a reserve component of the Armed Forces.

On February 20, Cook introduced AB 2172 (Elder abuse: registry). The bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to develop and update an Internet website providing information concerning persons who have been convicted of violating at least one of specified crimes against elder or dependent adults.

Cook's bill would require a facility that releases from incarceration any person from a commitment for an offense for which the person is required to be listed pursuant to these provisions to provide specified information to the DOJ regarding the offense.

Click here to discuss this news