Island Park reacts to Long Beach Rape

Island Park residents are renewing their call to shut down the Long Beach Motor Inn, after learning that a man who was arrested and charged with raping a woman in Long Beach last month was staying at the motel.

Alphonso Barnes was charged with rape, aggravated sexual abuse, a criminal sexual act, kidnapping, assault and robbery in connection with the Dec. 5 incident. Police said he was living at the Motor Inn, on Austin Boulevard, at the time, and that he had previously been arrested for manslaughter, rape, burglary and robbery.

Sex offenders have been housed at the motel in the past, and, legally, they are allowed to live there. State law prohibits them from living within 1,000 feet of a school, within 500 feet of a park or preserve or within 2,000 feet of their victims. When sex offenders are released on probation or parole, officers check to make sure their living arrangements meet those requirements.

And as long as homeless sex offenders meet the state's financial eligibility requirements, Social Services must provide them with assistance. Karen Garber, a spokeswoman for Nassau County Social Services, said the agency does not place clients, but will offer suggestions as to where they can legally live.

Island Park residents have asked who conducts background checks on people like Barnes, and how thorough those checks are, as well as why someone with a criminal background like his would be allowed to live in a residential area. Chris Fabris, who lives about a half mile from the motel, said it has created problems in the community for years. Following Barnes's arrest, Fabris helped create a Facebook group called Close Down the Long Beach Motor Inn. In about a week, the group attracted more than 400 members.

Fabris said the community has been complaining about the motel for years, and he hopes local politicians are paying attention. “It's a small community's worst nightmare,” he said. “Is it going to take a murder to finally get someone to notice?”