Bredefeld says ‘everything is on the table’ to deal with sex offender home in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KGPE) – Fresno County is considering a change to the law to deal with issues linked to two homes providing housing for convicted sex offenders.

The homes are located in Fresno’s Old Fig Garden neighborhood, at the corner of Palm and Gettysburg. Garry Bredefeld, who represents that area on the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, says he’s heard from homeowners worried for their safety – and their children’s safety.

“During the campaign, when I was walking the precincts, interacting with people in the Fig Garden, they shared with me about this,” said Bredefeld.

“So clearly they’re very concerned, as most people would be if you had a lot of sex offenders living near you.”

There was a shooting at one of the homes in August and the Sheriff of Fresno County says his deputies have responded to calls from those homes more than any other home in the neighborhood.

The homes are run by the “Centers for Living,” which is owned and operated by John Coyle as transitional housing for people coming out of prison or addiction.

Coyle has declined numerous requests to talk about the issue, but in an emailed statement says, that the Centers for Living is not a “sex offender home” but instead a “faith-based transitional living ministry that serves men and women emerging from homelessness, incarceration, addiction, and hardship of every kind.”

We love all and serve all, without discrimination, and we ask only for fairness and accuracy in how our work is portrayed.
John Coyle, CEO and Founder, Centers for Living, Inc.

But Supervisor Bredefeld says “Centers for Living” have been in trouble with Fresno County before.

“By law, they’re only allowed to have up to six people in these homes,” said Bredefeld. There have been more than six people who’ve been cited for it. So we’re looking for ways that we can either strengthen the laws, or come up with our own ordinances locally to deal with it.”

Bredefeld says county leaders, including the sheriff, the head of probation, the county attorney and others, are working to address the problems the homes are creating.

“I don’t really care at all about these sex offenders. I care about these neighbors.”

“Everything is on the table, we will be meeting again in another week, our county counsel is looking at all the laws that are available, what other counties have done, and we will come up with something that will hold them accountable.”