RSS Feed
 |
|
|||||
|
Suffolk's latest laws against child molestors is faulty A piece of legislation recently passed by the Suffolk County Legislature is a classic case of taking a good idea too far. Lawmakers announced this week that Suffolk would prohibit convicted child molesters from being housed in shelters during emergencies such as tornadoes or hurricanes. The lawmakers were obviously concerned about having these individuals in close proximity to children, particularly under crisis situations, and we understand those concerns. It is unrealistic, however, to think that we can or should deny anyone emergency shelter in such a crisis. S.C. Exec. Steve Levy, is quoted in Newsday, saying that while he signed the law he believes it is unnecessary because a plan is already in place to have the Suffolk Police monitor the whereabouts of the county's estimated 800 registered sex offenders in a county emergency. If he is quoted correctly, that too, is unrealistic and outrageous. Does anyone believe that the County's police officers will have the time and the wherewithall to follow these individuals around in a major storm or disaster to ensure they are not seeking housing in emergency shelters?
What this type of politically correct legislation does is open the door to legal challenges that could very well threaten the realistic and sensible legislation already in place to protect children against child predators. Suffolk should reexamine its stance on this issue and pull it off the books before the ink dries. It is inviting disaster of another kind.
|
for larger version       |
||||
