Calif. county limits Scientology protests

RIVERSIDE, Calif., March 4 (UPI) -- Riverside County in Southern California has adopted an ordinance designed to curb protests against the Church of Scientology.

The law, approved Tuesday night by the county Board of Supervisors, requires demonstrations near homes to remain at least 30 feet away from the property line, the Los Angeles Times reports. It applies in unincorporated areas in the county.

Golden Era Productions in Gilman Hot Springs, where Scientology movies and CDs are made, has been the target of frequent demonstrations by anti-Scientology protesters. About 500 people live in the compound.

"A good ordinance should be clear and consistent and have a compelling interest behind its passage," said Bob Buster, who cast the only vote against the ordinance. "Eventually you will spend a lot of money in court to determine what it means, and it will cause more strife than it solves."