Protesters try to rid neighborhood of a high-risk sex offender

Stefanie Frith

COSTA MESA -- Norma McClary knew she had to do something when she saw

the signs warning that a high-risk sex offender was living in her area at

the Newport Senior Village on 21st Street and Newport Boulevard.

Taking one of the fliers the police had posted, she made about 300

copies, passed them out to neighbors and friends, and then urged them to

attend a rally Sunday outside the senior complex where Grayling Lang

Mitchell, 41, lives with his wife.

Mitchell has been convicted of three crimes: rape by force, sodomy

with force and oral copulation with force, according to the police flier.

Under Megan’s Law, the release is intended to allow members of the public

to protect themselves and their children from sex offenders.

About 50 people attended the protest, which took place from noon to 3

p.m., McClary said. The protesters stood outside the complex peacefully,

passed out fliers and held signs that read, “Rapist in our neighborhood”

and “High risk sex offender lives here.”

“It was very successful,” McClary said. “We had a lot of positive

responses and, even though some of the residents in the building said it

was none of our business, we told them that it was because we don’t want

this guy around. We are scared.”

McClary hopes Mitchell will leave by the end of the week. If not, she

plans to picket again.

“This time, we aren’t going to be so quiet,” said Carolyn Newcomb, who

also lives in the area. “We are going to get a bullhorn and make sure he

hears us. We don’t want him here. He needs to go out and live in the

desert.”

Another neighbor, Allison Perry, agreed, saying she fears for herself

and her children, one of whom attends the elementary school around the

corner.

“We should take this man and have him hung,” she said. “I will not

stand for this. Not with that school nearby. We don’t know what’s going

to happen. I took fliers to businesses in the area. We want as many

people to know as possible to get him out.”

Sgt. Tim Schennum of the Costa Mesa Police Department said the protest

was relatively calm.

“There were a few people out there, and it was pretty quiet and tame,”

he said.

Mitchell could not be reached for comment.

“Who would want this guy around? We sure don’t,” McClary said. “We

want this to be a nice place to live.”