SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - The community of Lakeside is in an uproar over news that a registered sex offender could soon be living across the street from an elementary school.
Lee Austin, 33, is scheduled to be released on Saturday to a home in the 9300 block of Lakeview Road. The house is just one-tenth of a mile from Lakeview Elementary School.
Residents have launched a social network campaign in response to the decision. About 100 parents packed the Lakeside Community Center Wednesday night at a safety meeting. Austin's brother-in-law also spoke out, saying it's a bad move.
"These kids need to be protected, if not from the state then somebody needs to be out here protecting them,” said Conrad Rankin.
Austin was convicted of committing lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 years old. He is currently in jail on a parole violation.
The portion of Jessica's Law that would prohibit sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of parks and schools is currently being challenged in San Diego County, and cannot be enforced at this time. The Department of Corrections will, however, require Austin to stay at least 250 feet from where children gather, and the department will designate a path that he must use to enter and leave the residence. He will also have to wear a GPS monitor during his parole.
"I see kids walk to and from school every day, directly by that house. There is no way we're going to sit still. This is so dangerous for our community," parent Laurie Gallamore said. "We are absolutely freaked out about having this guy across the street from our school."
"We have 710 kids at our school. His act was with a child under 14. There are over 700 students you can see from his living room window," Safe Routes to School Coordinator Kelly Bailey said.
Parents are talking to their county supervisor, Dianne Jacob, and demanding Austin be placed in a different neighborhood away from children.