Officials want all sex offenders farther from schools

SCHODACK, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Rensselaer county officials held a press conference to raise awareness around sex offender restrictions. It was prompted after community members in Schodack received alerts that a sex offender moved into the area. Residents fear it’s too close to a school. 

On Wednesday, lawmakers joined the Rensselaer county executive and said they support reasonable restrictions that put distance between sex offenders – of all levels – and places where children are. NEWS10’s Carina Dominguez breaks down the current law on where sex offenders can live and what a newly amended law proposes. 

The Sex Offender Registration Act does not restrict where a level two or three registered sex offender may live, unless the sex offender is under parole or probation supervision. Only then, can they not live within 1,000 feet of a school or other facility caring for children.

According to officials the individual in question was on supervised parole but that expired. When Schodack residents were alerted that he had moved right across the street from a school, they were shocked to learn it was legal.

50 year old James Jennings was convicted, in 2008, for raping a 15 year old in Scotia. Schodack Town Supervisor Chuck Peter said they feel helpless trying to protect the community without the proper laws in place.

“We have residents who come to myself, I know they’ve reached out to the senator, the chief of police, and we’re unable to do anything because we do not have a law to be able to prevent this,” said Peter.

New York State Senator Jake Ashby (R-43rd District) said his constituents assumed they were protected.

“When I hear from constituents, they are not aware that this bill had existed. They are not aware that really they weren’t protected by the law in this instance. And frankly, they’re outraged by it. They cannot believe the fact that this law is not in place as it is in other states,” said Ashby. 

A 2005 law established tighter restrictions, but that was overturned over a retroactive clause that was deemed to be unconstitutional. 

Ashby said the latest amendments to the law he’s proposing would only apply to newly convicted sex offenders. Under the new proposal, sex offenders would not be able to live within 1,000 feet from a school or library.

Ashby hopes the new version will make it out of committee. He said this issue needs bipartisan support. “Here is a perfect opportunity for that,” said Ashby.

“Anything we can do to protect our children from these predators is something that is long overdue and should be done,” said Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin.

Law enforcement urged parents to closely supervise their children and said they should talk to children about stranger danger. They also suggest monitoring your children’s whereabouts through apps. Lastly, they said you should stay up to date on safety concerns through e-alerts from the state, city or town and also recommended signing up for notification on the sex offender registry.