Florissant bars sex offenders from parks, recreation centers

FLORISSANT, Mo. (AP) -- A suburban St. Louis town is barring sex offenders from all parks and recreation centers.

The Florissant City Council also approved installation of an electronic identification system that will record people as they enter city parks or recreation sites. Registered sex offenders trying to get in will be arrested immediately.

The council approved the plan Monday night, drawing applause from spectators that included a soccer team and a high school class.

The measure came after a convicted sex offender was charged with sexual misconduct for allegedly exposing himself to five children and two adults at the city's James Eagan Center two weeks ago.

City officials say the interest of public safety outweighs individual civil liberties.

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Information from: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, http://www.stltoday.com