No, I’m not just talking about a candidate who says what a terrible thing it is … the liberals letting these sexual predators back onto the streets and into our neighborhoods … and how he’s opposed to those in the legislature and on the bench that allow such things … and how if elected he’s gonna go to Sacramento and fight to change all that … because he’s gonna protect our children and our families. No, I’m not just talking about the candidate who says those things.
Heck, let’s face it, that about sums up the stump speech on the subject for nearly every Republican 
running for office … and a good number of the Democrats. No, I’m talking about the guy running for office, going door-to-door AND handing out maps of the sexual registrants in our neighborhoods.
Call Joel Anderson’s effort a campaign hook, call it theatrics, call it a media grabber, call it what you want. I don’t care … you have got to love it! Most candidates — in any district — would sit there for days mulling over whether this might backfire, or if they’re going to offend someone, or whatever. Yeah, whatever. Frankly, if you’re serious about this issue, there’s no waiting when it comes to protecting our kids.
When it was announced nine days ago that Jessica’s Law qualified for the November ballot, I posted the following on these pages:
"Cities like La Mesa (my own) and others in the state have in the meantime taken matters into our own hands, by enacting laws that effectively flaunt current state law in this regard, by adopting local ordinances restricting the presence of registered sex offenders from areas where children congregate. We believe we must, because to wait for the state to do the right thing does not make our kids any safer while we’re biding our time. And, by the way, this doesn’t exactly put us in a good light with the ACLU and ambulance chasers."
Bottom line. It doesn’t appear Joel Anderson is going to become a hero of the ACLU anytime soon … and he’s certainly not biding his time. What’s more, he doesn’t care. If anyone wonders why I wrote a few weeks back "that I know Joel Anderson will stand up and do the right thing in the belly of the beast," well, here you have it. He’s proving it right now.
Below is today’s press release. KUSI and local Fox 6 coverage so far. Media ploy? Joel will face the brunt of that charge, I’m sure. And, I can hear some mighty chompin’ at the bit from those wishing they had thought of this.
Joel Anderson Notifies Families of Proximity to Sex-Offenders
Campaign Drops Maps door-to door Alerting Citizens of Predators
SANTEE – Today, Joel Anderson, Republican candidate for the 77th Assembly seat, announced a special campaign drive to protect his constituents’ children by distributing "Megan’s Law" maps. Campaign volunteers spread throughout the district knocking on doors and handing out maps that show East County parents where registered sex offenders are located in their neighborhoods.
Anderson said that once he saw the high concentration of sex-offenders living near schools as shown on the California website (www.meganslaw.ca.gov), he felt duty bound to commit his campaign’s resources to distribute the "Megan’s Law" maps. "I was appalled that many of San Diego’s most violent sex-offenders are living so close to the schools, parks, and neighborhoods where our young children are," said Anderson. I am not waiting to be elected to start protecting the families of our district with the resources available to me," he added.
Anderson’s efforts were commended by Santee School Board Trustee Dan Bartholomew. "Anderson is showing the initiative we need in Sacramento to protect our kids," said Bartholomew.
Anderson vowed that once elected he would introduce legislation requiring schools to send home Megan’s Law maps of registered sex offenders located near schools at least once a term. "Schools communicate with parents all the time. They should ensure parents are notified of potential threats to our children."
Anderson, President of the Padre Dam Water Board, is currently a candidate for the State Assembly in East San Diego County.
April 28th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Sex offender maps as precinct-walking collaterals … this has to be a first. Guess Joel’s not going after the pederast vote!