A Sex Offender Living in Congers Has Residents Upset

The Clarkstown community recently received notification about a Level 3 sex offender moving into Congers, and the outcry has been strong, particularly from his immediate neighbors.

A recent town hall meeting held by the Clarkstown Police Department was attended by about 50 people.

“There has to be a law to protect the kids and if there isn’t there should be,” neighbor Helen O’Flynn told Fios1news after the meeting.

New York’s sex-offender registration act does not limit where a sex offender can live. However, if the offender is under parole or probation supervision, other New York State laws may limit the offender from living within 1,000 feet of a school or other facility caring for children. For more indepth information, click here.

New York State’s Sex-Offender Registry lists about 70 Level 2 and 3 offenders living in Rockland County.

But the only one in question now is Jaime Katz, listed on the Registry as a sexually violent offender who had been sentenced to 20 months to 5 years in state prison for criminal sexual acts with a 12-year-old boy.

Katz is a former New York City police sergeant who abused a relative’s adopted son for years, according to NBCNewYork and the New York Post.

“Our residents are concerned about the safety of their children and I am working with the state in support of their legislation restricting sex offenders from residing near schools and day care centers,” said Clarkstown Supervisor Alex Gromack. “In addition, I am proposing a local law to try to restrict that locally if it does not pass the state legislature by the end of session.”

At its June 9 meeting, the Town Board will begin to consider restricting registered sex offenders from residing within 1,000 feet of a private or public school, or a child day care center.

The Town’s efforts would mirror bills sponsored by Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski and Sen. David Carlucci that are pending in Albany.

In 2007, the County of Rockland passed Local Law 1-2007, which created “pedophile-free child safety zones” within a 1,000 foot circumference of a school, child day care center, public park or playground or public swimming facilities. The law was challenged and was struck down on the basis that the County’s law was pre-empted by State Law, however, the County did not appeal that decision and no higher court ever ruled on the issue.

“While I understand that there have been legal challenges to such laws in the past, there are laws that have passed constitutional muster, and that’s what I hope to achieve here,” Gromack said. “Given the uncertainty surrounding the passage of the State legislation, I think it is prudent that we at least start a parallel process at the local level. I will direct that the Town Attorney’s office prepare a local law for our consideration at an upcoming Town Board meeting. In addition, I think we should ask the Town Attorney to research whether tracking devices, such as audible bracelets, could be imposed to ensure compliance with the current state law which restricts sex offenders from entering upon school or day care grounds.”

Neighbors also want other restrictions, saying they’re concerned about cameras that Katz has placed around the border of his property, and arguing that he should be required to live closer to his family while out on parole. 

See the state legislation here:

http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/A1658-2015
http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S3223-2015