By Mike Schnitzel
New law restricts where sex offenders can live in village
It's going to be tougher for registered sex offenders to find a place to live in Valley Stream. The Board of Trustees passed a law on Monday night tightening restrictions on where the convicts can reside in the incorporated village.
According to the new law, registered sex offenders cannot reside within 1,000 feet of any school, licensed day care center or playground.
"We want to protect the children of the community," said Mayor Edward Cahill. "We're in favor of any type of law to keep [sex offenders] as far away [as possible] from schools, playgrounds and other places where children congregate."
Prior to the passage of Local Law No. 2, there were no restrictions on where registered sex offenders could live in the incorporated village.
"This gives us a chance to say that they can't live in an area where they would be near children," said Village Attorney Mike McKenna. "Before, we couldn't do that."
Anyone found to be in violation of the new law is subject to a fine of up to $1,000 for each offense committed. Every day a sex offender is found living in an area which violates the new law constitutes a separate offense, according to the law. Village code enforcement officers, public safety officers, building inspectors with the power to issue summonses and Nassau County police all have the authority to enforce Local Law No. 2.
There are some exceptions to the new law. It does not apply to any registered sex offenders currently living in areas that the law will restrict. If a new school, day care center or playground is constructed within 1,000 feet of the home of a registered sex offender already living in the area, that sex offender will not be in violation of the law.
The provisions of Local Law No. 2 will not apply to any registered sex offender required by a court to live in a certain location. Convicted sex offenders are required by state law to register with the State Division of Criminal Justice Services. One can access the New York state registered sex offender database at criminaljustice.state.ny.us.
Comments about this story? Mschnitzel@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 265.
