MASP of California

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: A registered sex offender has just moved into my neighborhood. I hate to think about him so close by, and it's been causing a lot of distress for the community. Isn't there something we can do?

A: Short answer:

  • Pay attention; be vigilant with your kids and your self.
  • Teach your kids what they need to know to make informed decisions.
  • Call 911 or your local law enforcement if you feel anything is out of line.
  • Allow them to live in peace: better in a house with a fence where he can be watched, than in an apartment next door to a single mom, or homeless in the parking lot of the local playground.

Registered offenders have been caught and punished - don't be so distracted by their presence that you forget about the much great threat of the undetected predator.

A: Long Answer: Yes. Watch them.
If they change cars, if they have very weird hours, if they behave in a way that makes you nervous or which seems unsuitable, you can call the Police. If you haven't already, form a Neighborhood Watch.

Let your kids know about the risk. No need for great detail, just let your kid know that the offender hurt people on purpose, and may do it again. Explain as much to them as you feel comfortable sharing, so that they can make intelligent decisions based on knowledge rather than fear or curiosity.

We do not recommend that you try to drive the offender away. That is not getting rid of a problem, it's just forcing it elsewhere, perhaps to a community less able to monitor the offender.

Society hears very regularly that sex offenders, especially those who prey on children, cannot be rehabilitated. We also are taught, however, that they can abstain from predatory behavior if they can remain stable and productive in their life.

Q: What's up with Jack [McClellan, of stegl infamy]?

A: Jack McClellan appears to be a mentally ill individual who craves public attention. MASP deplores his website and his message, and advises him to seek counseling. Aside from Jack's misuse of the word 'consent,' his website appears to be within current law.

It is the responsibility of the communities in which Jack operates to set the boundaries they will tolerate. Parents and care-givers need to step forward and request that he leave the area, that he not use his camera, that he stay away from the children.

If at any time any parent or care-giver feels threatened or unsure of what course to follow, call 911. When you get home, call your locally elected officials and advise them of your concerns. Working together, we can create more effective and reflective legislation.

Q: How can websites like ____ be legal? What can we do to protect our kids from predators like this?

A: An image taken in public, of something or someone that is also in public, is the property of the person who took the picture.

If someone has asked you for permission to take a picture of you or your child, or to use a picture of your child that they've already taken, then they are performing a courtesy, not following law.

As to the content - First Amendment rights. So long as he doesn't encourage others to break the law, or break a law himself, the reprehensible content is fully allowed.

A: Use your cell phone and take a picture of anyone who is taking pictures of your kids, or acting in a manner you find inappropriate or threatening. Tell them you don't want them to take pictures of your kids, and ask them what they intend to do with the pictures. If you don't get the results you want, then take your kids and find a staff member or security guard. If you feel threatened, contact security or the police immediately.

Q: What MASP is doing is really important. What can I do to help?

A: Talk about it. Let your friends, family, and community know that an effort is being made on behalf of parents and children, and that everyone's voice, raised together, can get the attention of the folks in Sacramento.

Find out from your kids' schools what their policies are regarding attendance at school functions, what their district-wide safety curricula consists of, and let them know about our organization.

Email us if you'd like to to be a go-to person for your school district or community. We started on the in a specific community, but we know that a lot of support is needed in other areas of the state. We really need strong volunteers and contributors from every region of California, and we need suggestions ideas, and feedback from every community in the state.

Q: If parents are the first line of defense, shouldn't we have some way to defend ourselves, like pepper spray or something?

A: Disclaimer: We're not security or self defense experts. If you feel threatened by some situation, call the Police immediately, and call security consultants who can advise you of real risk/threat.

That being said - start small.

First learn how to react to threat, and train to react appropriately and consistently. There are a lot of great self defense programs, taught at many colleges and also taught by many Martial Arts schools.

Until you've been confronted with violence as an adult, you can have no idea how you'll react to violence.

When you feel very confident that you can behave rationally when you or your family is confronted with violence, and if you feel like your situation warrants it, look into appropriate weapons. Once you have the weapon, you'll need to train with it, as well.

If you have a weapon, and don't know how to use it, the predator will likely make use of it against you. Better to be unarmed than give the predator a weapon.