NIAGARA COUNTY: Legislature looking into pedophile-free safety zones
By Mark Scheer/scheerm@gnnewspaper.com Greater Niagara Newspapers
Niagara Falls —LEGISLATURE: Bipartisan plan aims to curtail repeat offenses by sex offenders.
By Mark Scheer
scheerm@gnnewspaper.com
Niagara County lawmakers are considering a bipartisan plan that would make it a crime for registered sex offenders to linger within 1,000 feet of a school, park, child care facility or other public and private location frequented by children.
If approved, the so-called “Niagara County Pedophile-Free Child Safety Zone Act” would allow convicted sex offenders found in violation of the “Safety Zone” standards to be charged with Class B misdemeanors, punishable by fines of up to $500 and imprisonment of up to three months in jail. Under the proposed law, repeat offenders could be hit with class A misdemeanors that carry fines of up to $1,000 and sentences of up to one year in jail.
“We are trying to limit the opportunities for children to be victimized,” said one of the bill’s co-sponsor’s, Legislator Paul Wojtaszek, R-North Tonawanda.
The bill, which is being
co-sponsored by Legislators Jason Cafarella, D-Niagara Falls, and John Ceretto, R- Lewiston, notes that there exists a “heightened potential” for repeat offenses against minors when convicted sex offenders “reside, have employment or frequent” areas where children are likely to
congregate.
Under the proposed law, registered sex offenders would be forbidden from living, working or loitering within 1,000 feet of areas and facilities that would provide them with “easy access to potential victims.”
The restriction would be lifted in instances where convicted sex offenders have completed sentencing and are no longer required to register under the state’s Sex Offender Registration Act.
“It’s not overkill,” Wojtaszek said. “We’re trying to show that we are being proactive, but we’re also trying to be reasonable.”
The measure is expected to be presented for review by the Legislature on Tuesday at which time a request could be made to set a public hearing date on the proposal.
Adult Residential Services Administrator HUMAN SERVICES Progressive Niagara County Agency serving adults with psychiatric disabilties seeks an Adult Reside...>MORE
Recreational Aide Recreational Aide - Full/part time. Performs hand on activities to include crafts, cooking, recreational and social acti...>MORE
Marriage Counselor Catholic Charities has an excellent professional development opportunity available for the following position: ...>MORE
Sales Interviews SALES. Joe Cecconi's Chrysler Complex, 2380 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14304. Joe Cecconi's offers: Excellent pay ...>MORE
Used Car Lot Helper USED CAR Lot Helper misc. duties, valid driver’s license, great work environment. For details 731-2319 ask for Mr. Dan...>MORE
DRIVER Driver, light pick up & delivery, need own car, know WNY, valid NYS driver lic., good pay 694-1251...>MORE
OFFICE HELP Office help, p/t, must have exc. computer/word processing skills, fax 877-2029 or jimshotwell@roadrunner.com, NO CALLS...>MORE
MST Therapists Catholic Charities has an excellent professional development opportunity available for the following position: MST ...>MORE
Nurse Practitioner NURSE PRACTITIONER-CARDIOLOGY. Full time. NYS license with one year of recent coronary care or cardiovacular care experi...>MORE
Driver DRIVERS – CDL A TEAM DRIVERS NEEDED FOR DEDICATED RUNS No touch freight............Good miles ...>MORE