FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A convicted sex offender sat in the Fresno City Hall Council Chambers on Thursday as school children were present, and now, councilmembers are trying to prevent it from happening again.
“I don’t give a damn about sex offenders or their rights,” councilmember Mike Karbassi said. “I want to be real clear about that.”
The City Council voted during the meeting to support a state bill to bar registered sex offenders from holding public office.
Councilmember Nick Richardson took it a step further, asking if they should be allowed inside City Hall at all.
“If this is designated a place frequented by minors … then that’s incumbent on us as a council to take responsibility for the building and the safety of the people in it,” Richardson told Action News.
The decision follows registered sex offender Rene Campos’ attempt to run for Fresno City Council.
Campos was convicted of possessing child sexual abuse material in 2018. He pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge.
On Thursday, he spoke before the chamber.
“I’m not here as a candidate,” Campos said. “I’m here as a voter.”
Campos, who never got enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, told the council that their actions are about control.
“You are enhancing safety?” Campos asked. “You’re not. You are redefining access, and the public can see the difference.”
The state bill still needs to become law, and a judge would have to weigh in; however, Richardson is already considering possible enforcement.
“We’re strictly giving direction to the City Attorney’s office to look into the legality and constitutionality of what measures we can take to include something that is facial recognition at entrance[s],” Richardson said.
That suggestion comes amid growing concern over camera systems tracking parking lots and intersections.
“This means AI can follow you around the city,” said one resident. “It can follow me. They can follow you. It’s like having a private investigator walking two or three steps behind you, making notes on everything you do.”
In turn, Richardson pointed out that the Council Chambers are already a public space, with numerous cameras.
“I would recommend not sitting in a room that is constantly filmed for the record for all of eternity,” he said.
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