A proposed ordinance introduced Tuesday would allow the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to offer rewards of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the apprehension of sex offenders who abscond while on parole or probation.
Current county code allows rewards for information on crimes resulting in injury, death or damage to property.
Supervisor Michael Antonovich pressed for the change, saying state prison officials are looking for 10 sex offenders who either failed to report to their parole officer, cut off their GPS ankle bracelet or let the batteries die in their tracking device.
All 10 were last known to be living in the Antelope Valley, according to Antonovich.
GPS warrants for sex offenders have increased up to 70 percent, according to the draft ordinance, which did not cite a source.
Jessica’s Law, approved by California voters in 2006, requires that high- risk sex offenders be tracked for life with GPS monitors.
The proposed ordinance, which would allow for reward amounts to be increased if “the community is at great risk,” will be placed on a future agenda for consideration.
— City News Service