NJ- West Amwell to repeal sex offender law

Folks, read the Halloween restrictions that were in this law now being repealed...unbelievable! Who do these lawmakers think they are that they can dictate what goes on in a family unit.

11-12-2008 New Jersey:

WEST AMWELL — The Township Committee will hold a public hearing Dec. 10 to repeal its sex offender ordinance that restricts where those convicted may live and also bans them from Halloween activities.

The repeal is necessary because of a recent court decision, according to Deputy Mayor Ron Shapella.

Last summer, a three-judge panel of the New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division struck down similar ordinances in two communities, Galloway in Atlantic County and Cherry Hill in Camden County.

”The court ruled Megan’s Law supercedes any local ordinance,” Mr. Shapella said.

The state’s Megan’s Law, which went into effect in 1994, contains provisions for notifying residents when a convicted sex offender has moved in to their neighborhood. But unlike local ordinances, including West Amwell’s, Megan’s Law does not restrict where convicted offenders may live after they have served their sentences.

Because of the ruling, township officials thought it best to get their ordinance off the books, Mr. Shapella said.

In 2006, the Township Committee unanimously passed an ordinance governing where convicted sex offenders may live. The ordinance also placed restrictions on offenders’ activities on Halloween.

West Amwell’s ordinance says offenders may not live within 2,500 feet of any park, playground or day-care center. The 2,500-foot restriction is similar to those enacted by Cherry Hill and Galloway.

West Amwell’s ordinance also prohibits a convicted offender from mingling with any child, even his own, on Halloween. The ordinance also requires convicted offenders to be indoors at their residence by 6 p.m. Halloween and bars them from answering their doors to trick-or-treaters.

The ordinance also prohibits a convicted offender from attending any parties where children are present for the entire 24 hours of Halloween.

New Jersey State Police maintain a registry of convicted sex offenders, but none is listed in West Amwell.

However, the registry does not list all convicted sex offenders. Those who are considered to have the least risk of recidivism are not included. ..News Source.. by Linda Seida, Staff Writer