San Bernardino city officials demanded that the First Church of the Nazarene ban registered sex offenders from its premises or stop receiving city funds for a city sponsored youth facility located on the church grounds. This seems like a reasonable request give a few facts.
The former director of Operation Phoenix youth center was arrested in 2008 on suspicions of child molestation.
Operation Phoenix, a controversial 'crime-fighting' program that is the brain child of Mayor Pat Morris, is designed to assist, mentor and provide sanctuary to "at-risk" youth in targeted high crime areas.
In a posting on the SB Now blog by Rogers, Mayor Pat Morris' Chief of Staff states that a background check on Miller was conducted and only revealed a previous petty theft incident.
A registered sex offender was employed by the church.
The controversy follows Monday's revelation - through the leak of a confidential memo - that a man convicted of incest and lewd and lascivious conduct with a person younger than 14 performed work at the First Church of the Nazarene.
A police investigation determined that the man's presence at the church did not present a danger to children or that any new crimes were committed.
And… the city is free to place restrictions on the release of public funds. Especially when there is a reckless disregard for the safety of the children at the youth center. Pastor David Rhone does not seem to understand the need to safeguard the children from the very people charged to protect them. Ahem… no real Christian would ever…
I hope San Bernardino comes to its senses and ends the payments.
