Posted on 05/04/2005 12:15:36 PM PDT by Puppage
HAMILTON, N.J. -- Large portions of this Mercer County community could be off-limits to convicted sex offenders under an ordinance introduced Tuesday night.
The ordinance would create "pedophile-free zones" by prohibiting anyone convicted of a sex offense against a minor from living within 2,500 feet of a school, park, playground or day care center.
The 24 public schools, six private schools, 30 parks and numerous day care centers and playgrounds would make it difficult for any convicted sex offender to find a home in the 40 square-mile township.
"If this ordinance makes it more difficult for a sex offender to find a place to live, it is a consequence of their actions that they are responsible for," said Mayor Glen Gilmore, who introduced the ordinance.
Gilmore said he proposed the ordinance after reading about a similar one introduced in Keansburg. It would set the buffer limit at 1,000 feet.
A state assemblyman has said he will introduce a bill to impose the prohibition statewide.
A public hearing on the Hamilton ordinance was set for May 17.
Civil liberties lawyers questioned whether the ordinance would stand up to a court challenge.
"It's unconstitutional," said William Buckman, a Moorestown attorney and member of the board of directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Hamilton was the hometown of Megan Kanka, a 7-year-old girl killed in 1994 by a convicted pedophile who lived across the street from her home. Her death inspired sex offender community notification laws nationwide that bear her name.
Another prime example of a politician or two trying to make political points during a public hysteria.
How about SUV free zones within the same distance of children?
How about GUN owner free zones within the same distance of children?
This is a good concept regarding CONVICTED pedophiles but it solves nothing. They can LIVE outside the zones and prey inside the zones. The only way to track would be some monumental, monsterous USSR style travel papers/internal passport system.
Where in the Constitution does it state that a criminal can't lose any privileges? While it's against the law to bar someone from living in a certain place based on race, sex, etc., no such protection is extended to criminals.
I'd prefer a law that sent them to the gallows.
Right, but the way it sounds, the restrictions would make it almost impossible for a sex-offender to find a home in the entire town. The town is just trying to protect itself. The pervert may find a home outside the city, but why would they then travel to this town? The town only has authority in that one town, and it's doing everything in its power to keep pedophiles out - I applaud their attempts.
No it won't.
What it will create is are "law-abiding pedophile-residence-free zones".
In other words, only those convicted pedophiles who are (now) obeying the law will not be living in those zones.
Those "pedophile-free zones" will still have those who who haven't been caught and those who aren't registered living in them, and those zones will have all groups going to and fro within.
How many will let down their guard because they're in a "pedophile-free zone"? Too many, I bet.
But it'll look good on a politican's resume.
If Constitutional, every municipality in the state could adopt similar ordinances? Won't be surprised if this is shot down by the State court system, to prevent all the paedophiles from being dumped in the poorest areas of the state.
That's a very good point.
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