Klein Statement On Governor's Executive Order On Civil Commitment

Bronx, NY—In response to Governor Pataki's Executive Order to extend the state's involuntary commitment law—normally used for the mentally ill—to sexual predators, State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) issued the following statement:

"New York families have already waited too long for meaningful action to keep these violent sexual predators off our streets. I commend the Governor for taking this first step, but continue to urge my colleagues in the Assembly to end the foot-dragging and pass this important legislation so that there can be no question that the State can take the necessary action to keep our communities safe ," said Klein.

Last month, Klein released a study that revealed an alarmingly high concentration of Level 3 sexual predators in New York City and Westchester County. Of the more than 250 zip codes in that area, 212 were home to at least one Level 3 sexual predator. Until civil commitment becomes law in New York, Klein has called for creation of an email notification system that will alert residents when a Level 3 sexual predator moves into a particular community.

"Exposing our families to this continued and serious risk is simply unacceptable and it is long past time that the Assembly join the Senate in making absolutely sure we can protect our communities from these violent sexual predators by keeping them off our streets ," Klein continued.

Senator Klein voted for the civil commitment legislation that passed the Senate earlier this year and in July—just weeks after a White Plains woman was murdered in the Galleria Mall by a registered Level 3 sex offender—Klein held a hearing on the issue in Bronxville to educate the public urge the passage of civil commitment legislation.