RUNNER WANTS OK FOR HOME REPEALED FACILITY TO INCLUDE SEX OFFENDER.

Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer

LANCASTER - State Assemblywoman Sharon Runner is asking the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to repeal their authorization for a group home for youth offenders in Lancaster.

The California Youth Authority home, which is located on 30th Street East south of Avenue E-8 in Lancaster, will hold 12 youth offenders including a teen sex offender, officials said.

``I am unaware of the frequency with which the county authorizes such homes, but am troubled by the potential high number of offenders that can be inconspicuously placed in a location under community care,'' Runner said.

The home is actually owned by a private entity but contracted by CYA to provide services for youth offenders, all of whom are on probation.

Teens are commonly placed in group homes after a stay at a CYA detention facility or probation camp, such as Challenger Memorial Youth Center in Lancaster. The homes serve to readjust recent detainees at CYA facilities and offer counseling services and conflict resolution courses to those offenders.

The homes, however, don't have the high walls and guards that detention facilities and camps do.

In the letter to the Board of Supervisors, Runner indicates that the home is to house 12 youth offenders, which is double the capacity of a normal group home. A group home can operate with just a state license if six residents or fewer are living at the home and medical and psychological services are not being provided.

CYA officials did confirm that a teen sex offender would be living at the home, but were not able to provide any specifics about the crimes he was convicted of because of his age.

Runner said she is concerned any time offenders, youth or adult, are moved into the Antelope Valley from other areas - especially registered sex offenders, saying that there is a disproportionate number of registered sex offenders in the Antelope Valley.

In the letter, Runner asked that supervisors explore actions necessary to repeal the authorization of the home and to ``explore these options in your jurisdiction to help the Antelope Valley from becoming a community based youth detention center.''

Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich had not yet seen the letter, which was faxed to his office Friday, and was not able to comment.

``We haven't had a chance to see the letter yet, but we'll be happy to work with Sharon and see what we can do about whatever issues she has,'' said Antonovich's press deputy, Tony Bell.

Greg Botonis, [phone]

greg.botonis(at)dailynews.com