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Today's Poll: Should the City Council pass a sex-offender residency local law?

By Howard B. Owens
Robin Murphy

So it would be just a city of Batavia law? What about the town of Batavia and other villages/towns in Genesee county? It seems to me if they are going to do this it should be county wide. I don't want them all moving into my small community because of the restrictions in the city of Batavia!

Apr 26, 2010, 9:49am Permalink
Robin Murphy

In my community this past year there was a case with what will be a registered sex offender who lives within feet of a very busy park and a neighborhood filled with children. Alarmed I e-mail the sheriff department and they replied that there was no law with restrictions on what/where they can live near and that the ruling judge would put any restrictions into there parole/release terms. I was shocked! Now not to sound silly but there are strict restrictions on where you can smoke in public places but no stricter regulations on sexual offenders resident locations? Now didn't this all start with an offender living near a school in Batavia if I am not mistaken? How did he slip through the cracks with the parole board/judge with his parole conditions? Something with this system is not working. It should not be left up to a board. There should be a statewide law with these restrictions so nobody slips by and no time is being wasted with the issue in local governments.
Also I meant if they do pass anything in Batavia, I don't want them moving into my community because of Batavias restrictions. Sure nobody wants them in their neighborhood but it is just about making our children safer. At least they can't be tempted to do whatever sick crime they did again living around where children are always around.

Apr 26, 2010, 10:32am Permalink
C. M. Barons

Granted, no one wants to risk living close-by a criminal- no less a sex offender. The fears of families with children are not extinguished by statistics on recidivism or victim profiles. Still there is an advantage to being able to pin-point the object of our fears. Adding restrictions will drive offenders underground.

Apr 26, 2010, 12:07pm Permalink
John Roach

Since most sex offenders are not child molesters (pedophiles), the law, while making us feel good, would not do much to protect anyone.

In addition, if the Division for Parole or Probation tells a person where to live, the city law would not be enforceable.

Apr 26, 2010, 12:14pm Permalink

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