BROOKHAVEN PROPOSES CHILD PROTECTION ACT

Legislation for the Brookhaven Town Board to adopt a Child Protection Act will be the topic of a public hearing slated for December 20 at 6:20 p.m. at Brookhaven Town Hall.  If adopted, the law would restrict where convicted sex offenders could reside.  Second District Councilman Kevin McCarrick introduced the legislation that would keep convicted sex offenders from residing 1,000 feet from either a school or playground.  McCarrick's pending legislation was lauded by Laura Ahearn, executive director of Parents for Megan's Law.  She joined McCarrick in a press conference last week to announce the proposed law, commenting Residence restriction laws won't eliminate child sexual abuse, but they prevent the potential for children who might otherwise be victimized by limiting direct contact sexual predators can have with children.  Ahearn said Brookhaven's proposed legislation will additionally provide statutory guidelines for the community and to registered offenders to clarify what residency restrictions exist in local communities.  She said that the bottom line in protecting youngsters from becoming victimized by sexual predators is education.  We must use every tactic possible, including education for parents and for children.

(New York)