State Senate Bill Connected to Congers Complaints about Nearby Sex Offender

A bill banning sex offenders from living near day care centers --prompted by a complaint in Congers-- has passed the New York State Senate.

Senator David Carlucci (D – Rockland/Westchester) announced that the Senate has passed S3223A. legislation that will prohibit sex offenders from moving to a residence that is within 1000 feet of any school building regularly used for instructional purposes, a building in which child day care is provided.

The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision interprets current law from prohibiting sex offenders from knowingly residing within 1,000 feet of school buildings and from knowingly traveling within 1,000 feet of school buildings, leaving daycare and pre-kindergarten facilities vulnerable to sexual predators, Carlucci said.

Due to that loophole in State law, a Level 3 sex offender was legally residing approximately 175 feet from Nella Di Nuovo Daycare in Congers. The daycare facility is located on Lenox Avenue, in a residential area and many area residents were horrified to learn of the loop hole that put children at risk. 

SEE: 

• Sex Offender Living in Congers Has Residents Upset
  
• Stricter Residency Rules Needed for Sex Offenders: Officials
  

"As a new father, it’s unsettling to know that current law leaves our youngest children unprotected from some of the most violent and perverse criminals,” said Carlucci. "With recidivism rates among dangerous sexual predators so high, having them reside close to Daycares and Learning centers is a receipt for disaster. This bill will go along way toward avoiding tragedy "