Gov. Jerry Brown has signed strict legislation in hopes of protecting California residents from sexual predators.

Law enforcement officials have pointed out that removing or tampering with GPS monitoring devises is a crime.  Until now, though, this offense has largely been ignored.   Legislators wanted to make sure the practice would not continue.
The new law, which was sponsored by Sen. Ted Lieu, requires that these criminals spend the duration of their parole period behind bars.   They'll also be sentenced to an additional six months for the crime.

The bill was introduced after a Los Angeles-based newspaper reported a sharp spike in the number of sex offenders who were tampering or taking off their monitoring bracelets.  In some counties, jails have become so overcrowded that these individuals would be booked and released almost immediately.

It barely equated to a slap on the wrist.   What's worse, is that some reportedly went onto commit new crimes, including rape, and it's questioned as to whether all of this could have been prevented.

A 2006 law requires sex offenders be outfitted with these types of devices throughout the duration of their parole.   Proponents say it was needed in order to make sure they were staying away from schools and abiding by the terms and conditions of their release.

Others have said the measure is useless if there are no repercussion for bad behavior.  Lieu said a strong message needed to be sent.   Break the rules and you will be punished harshly.

Since the state's prison realignment took effect in October of 2011, more than 5,000 arrest warrants have been issued for persons who tampered with or removed their GPS bracelets.  Many of these criminals continue to be unaccounted for and are still at large.

Law enforcement workers say the new law was very much needed.  The American Civil Liberties Union, however, was not on board.

This legislation was not the only measure taken up by the governor in the past week.  Brown also vetoed a measure that would allow county prosecutors to charge certain drug possession offenses as misdemeanors.

Two others were also struck down.  This included one that would have provided condoms to inmates and another that mandated police and sheriff's departments obtain search warrants before asking Internet providers to turn over electronic communication.

Brown said he vetoed the drug-possession measure because California is about to take a hard look at sentencing guidelines for all crimes.   This, he said, will give the state the best opportunity to evaluate all of its drug laws.

Those who supported it felt that monies would be better spent on programs that support rehabilitation.  Law enforcement officials said they opposed it because they felt it could have a negative impact on public safety.

Brown said there were several reasons he vetoed the latter three bills.  The first is that inmates' family members are already permitted to bring condoms when they have overnight visits.  He also said that there is already a federal law in place that requires search warrants be obtained before seeking emails and electronic records from ISPs.