How would you feel if a registered sex offender lived right next to your child's school? IT'S happening across the Valley and many parents don't understand why.

Jessica's law made headlines when it passed in California. The law barred sex offenders from living too close to a school or park.

CBS47's Investigator Rebecca Lindstrom finds that many ignore the law and the police are letting them do it.

Voters overwhelmingly passed the law that prohibits sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a school or park but CBS47 On Your Side only had to spend a few minutes on the state's sex offender registry to find dozens of men and women, who appeared to be living just feet away.

CBS47 investigated why the police are allowing these sex offenders to live so close and were surprised at the answer. Sergeant Smith with the Fresno Police Department told us the law that was enacted back in 2006 is being challenged in the courts.

The ACLU, American Civil Liberties Union argues the residency restrictions are unconstitutional and until the State Supreme Court decides, law enforcement can't do much about it.

Sergeant Smith also says the bill failed to make it a crime, so even if a sex offender does move too close, there is no penalty on the books.

There is one thing law enforcement can and will do. There is an online registry called Offender Watch, which allows you to register for alerts if it learns that a sex offender has moved into your neighborhood.

It’s also important to teach your children not to talk to strangers and what to do in case they are approached.