State Rep. Jim Arciero's persistence looks like it will pay off for those who believe the state's Sex Offender Registry should be expanded.
Arciero, a Westford Democrat, added an amendment to the Legislature's 2014 budget that would add Level 2 sex offenders to the state's database. Currently, only Level 3 offenders' information is available.
Gov. Deval Patrick has until Friday to decide if he'll submit any changes to the lawmakers' spending plan, which leaves the fate of Arciero's measure still uncertain.
However, we believe it's a well-conceived addition to the protections parents and others would have to thwart potential sexual predators.
Currently, those seeking information on Level 2 sex offenders -- those deemed to have a moderate risk of reoffending -- must file an information request in person at their local police department. This time-consuming process, as Arciero points out, discourages residents from filing requests, not to mention the waste of police resources.
Law-enforcement officials seem to agree. Both the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association and the state police endorsed Arciero's motion.
As Laurie Myers -- a longtime victims' advocate -- stated, it gives parents another safeguard for their children. It allows them to decide whether their proximity to this other level of sex offenders poses a risk.
That's something the parents of a sex-assault victim in Arciero's Westford neighborhood didn't have back in 2009. After the attacker's identification was released, his criminal past was discovered on a Florida offender database.
And so Arciero's quest began.
Arciero's amendment also would put the state more in sync with the federal standard, better known as the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. That compliance comes with a $600,000 grant that could be used to implement the expanded requirements.
We agree with Arciero's initiative. While cognizant of even former criminals' right to some degree of privacy, sex offenders present a unique case where public safety trumps that expectation.
It took five years, but Arciero wouldn't be denied. He's already working on a bill that would post information on Level 1 offenders as well.
While we'll reserve judgment on that effort, we wouldn't bet against him. ..Source.. by Sentinel & Enterprise
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