Senator David Carlucci Announces Sex Offender Report Reveals Pre-K Loop Hole

Senator David Carlucci has released a shocking report, revealing the most dangerous sex offenders are living within walking distance from Pre-Kindergarten programs in Westchester and Rockland Counties.

“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 Senator Carlucci. “In this shocking report, we reveal there are thirteen level three sex offenders living in Westchester and Rockland within a thousand feet of pre-kindergarten facilities. Unfortunately within eight years of their release, level three sex offenders were rearrested almost fifty percent of the time. Our children are our most precious asset and we need to do everything we can to keep them safe. We must close this loophole immediately.”

The report, entitled “Keeping Our Children Safe From Sex Offenders, Special Report: Westchester & Rockland Counties,” revealed that in Westchester and Rockland six convicted sex offenders violate state law by living within 1,000 feet of grade schools with Pre-Kindergarten programs. The report also revealed that seven sex offenders in Westchester and one in Rockland reside within 1,000 feet of stand-alone Pre-Kindergarten programs.

Current law does not protect facilities that only offer Pre-Kindergarten programming. Due to this loophole, there are no restrictions on how close even the most dangerous and serious sex offenders can reside to a Pre-Kindergarten program.

Senator Carlucci is a sponsor of S1520, legislation that would prohibit certain convicted sex offenders from knowingly being within 1,000 feet of any place where pre-kindergarten or kindergarten instruction is provided. The bill also directs the commissioner of the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to apply for quarterly listings of all elementary and secondary schools in the state.

This legislation passed the New York State Senate on February 26, 2015, and is currently in the Assembly Committee on Corrections.