NY- Putnam revises sex-offender law

12-3-2008 New York:

CARMEL - The Putnam Legislature last night approved a revised child-safety-zone law that limits where convicted sex offenders can live and work in the county and does not exempt those already in the community.

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About 50 county residents turned out for the monthly board meeting to show their support for those items.

Child-safety-zone legislation enacted in Putnam in April of 2007 was not enforced after county law enforcement and legal experts asked for review to protect Putnam taxpayers from costly court challenges.

Last night, Legislator Sam Oliverio, D-Putnam Valley, said the board's refusal to include a "grandfather clause" allowing convicted sex offenders already settled in the community to remain would prove costly and was likely to be struck down in court.

But the majority of legislators and residents in the audience said they were willing to take that risk.

"It's the beginning of a process that will require sexual offenders to vacate a child-safety zone within six months," said Neil Platt, a Brewster grandfather of two who led the drive for the county legislation. "In six months I will feel a lot safer."

-If there are any RSOs who own homes hopefully they will sue as that issue has already been won in other courts.

Putnam's law prohibits convicted Level 2 and 3 sex offenders from living or working within 1,000 feet of places where children congregate. Level 3 offenders are considered the most likely to commit a crime again, while Level 2 is considered a moderate risk. Level 1 offenders, the lowest-risk category, are excluded from Putnam's law.

"I feel thrilled that they passed the law," said Melissa Orser of Kent, a mother of five who lobbied for it after learning that a convicted sex offender had moved in near a day-care center attended by two of her children. "Every law can be challenged. What matters is the safety of our children."

The bill goes to County Executive Robert Bondi, who is expected to sign it. ..News Source.. by Susan Elan • The Journal News