It's 7:20 a.m. at the intersection near a Quail Run Elementary School bus stop near Interstate 10 and West Cortaro Farms Road, and kids shriek with joy as they run around waiting for their transportation to school.
There are no adults around, save for those who drive by, drop their kids off and zoom on, most likely unaware that they've left their child at the doorstep of a convicted child molester.
The scene isn't unique to the Quail Run stop. It's echoed at two other elementary schools every school day. Three Tucson-area elementary school bus stops are located at the same addresses as sex offenders convicted of crimes against children. Add in residences of sex offenders convicted of crimes against adults and nine school-bus stops are in view of the residences of sex offenders.
The information comes from a Star analysis of the Arizona Department of Public Safety's map of Level 2 and 3 sex offenders, compared with school-bus schedules from each school district. The bus locations don't violate any law or school district policy, yet parents may not know of the criminal pasts of those who live by bus stops, nor the potential danger they represent to their kids.
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Tamara Crawley, spokeswoman for Marana Unified School District, says law enforcement distributed notices of the sex offender's location to neighborhood residents in April, and since then parents have told the district that they want to keep the bus stop where it is because of its convenience and accessibility. She said one parent complained and said his or her child would use a different bus stop.
"It's pretty common and hard to avoid," Crawley said of bus stops being near sex offenders. "Bus stops are not district property, and we're limited in our control."
She said parents consider the bus stop safe because it's in a centralized location and a high-traffic area, and added that there are other nearby bus stops as alternatives.
"We encourage the community to be informed and communicative with the school district, working collaboratively to ensure the safety of all students," Crawley said.
The two Sunnyside Unified School District bus stops, for Los Niños and Gallego elementary schools, are in mobile-home communities and would be impractical to move.
District spokeswoman Monique Soria said both bus stops are safe and are at central locations in the communities and aren't on the doorstep of a particular residence.
"The way they're set up is the best possible way for a large number of kids," Soria said. "It's a good location. … I think we're OK."
3 STOPS NEAR PREDATORS' HOMES
• Location: 5000 block of West Cortaro Crossing Drive.
Schools: Quail Run Elementary, Tortolita Middle School and Mountain View High School, Marana Unified School District.
Crime of offender: Lewd and lascivious acts with a child.
Risk level: 2.
• Location: 5000 block of South Country Club Road.
School: Los Niños Elementary, Sunnyside Unified School District.
Crime of offender: Sexual conduct with a minor.
Risk level: 2.
• Location: 4000 block of South Mesquite Club Lane.
School: Gallego Elementary, Sunnyside Unified School District.
Crime of offender: Attempted molestation of a child.
Risk level: 2.
Database
The Arizona Department of Public Safety keeps a database of convicted sex offenders labeled by the Arizona Department of Corrections with risk assessment scores of 2 (intermediate) and 3 (high) online at azdps.gov/Services/Sex_Offender/
Registration law
Since 1996, the Pima County Sheriff's Department has been required to register sex offenders.
Sex offenders have 72 hours to notify authorities of a change of address.
No laws prevent sex offenders from living near day-care centers or schools, but probation departments can issue such restrictions.
Warning signs
Creating playground environments where victims have access to toys, games and other things that will later be traded for sex.
Enticing with attention, affection, gifts, promises, and providing alcohol and pornography to lower inhibitions.
Participating in activities with teens, often excluding other adults, or trying to get teens into situations where no other adults are present.
Preying on either a parent or a teen desire to excel in a sport. They provide extra assistance and offer special attention.
Being the "nice guy" in the neighborhood who is willing to entertain children and take them on outings.
Operating businesses that hire teens and looking for excuses requiring them to stay after hours or visit the offender's home.
Seeking employment or volunteering where they will be in contact with children and teens.
Source: AZ Department of Public Safety
Contact reporter Phil Villarreal at 573-4130 or pvillarreal@azstarnet.com
