Murphy To The Assembly: End The Blockade Of Child Safety Zone And Victim Safety Zone Legislation

SOMERS, NY - Parks and playgrounds are supposed to be refuges for children, not battlegrounds. As a father, Senator Murphy is well aware of the dangers posed by sexual predators lurking where our children play. For more than eight years, he has been a statewide leader and advocate for children, sponsoring legislation to protect children and keep them from becoming victims.

At a press conference held at Koegel Park in Somers, Senator Murphy was joined by local advocates and officials to call for the immediate passage of legislation to create child safety zones, the passage of which has been repeatedly stonewalled by the State Assembly. A level 2 sex offender lives within 1000 feet of the park.

"Since 2008, even before I was a councilman, I have been advocating for the passage of child safety zone laws. It is up to the state to make these zones a reality, since the courts struck down local attempts at child safety zone laws in Rockland, Putnam and Nassau Counties," Senator Murphy said. "I am proud to have worked with Senator David Carlucci to pass this important legislation. To me, it's common sense. But the Assembly continues to play politics with our kids."

Child safety zones bar registered sex offenders from any place where children congregate, such as schools, churches, synagogues, playgrounds, parks and daycare centers.

Julie Killian, the Deputy Mayor of Rye and a mother of five said, "We have to stop playing political games with people's lives, certainly our kid's lives. How can we possibly let our kids play on playgrounds across the street from convicted pedophiles? I find it unconscionable that we would put our kids in danger. Our kids are not bargaining chips."

Senator Murphy also spoke about the need for victim safety zones, which prohibit a level two or three sex offender from living within 1,500 feet of their victim. The legislation would prevent an incident of recidivism from occurring. "I have heard multiple stories of sexual predators being released from prison and placed back in the vicinity of their victims," he said. "In 2011, a level three sex offender in Putnam was released and allowed to move next door to his victims, who were minors. This is completely unacceptable."

The choice of location for the press conference underscored the vital need for this legislation. A level 2 sex offender lives 1,000 feet away from the park, mere footsteps away from a site frequented by children. Recently, residents in Peekskill were appalled to learn that a level 3 sex offender on parole would be living less than 1,000 feet from his victim.

On hand to express to express their support of Senator Murphy's legislation were Yorktown Supervisor Michael Grace, Somers Town Supervisor Rick Morrissey, Julie Killian, Deputy Mayor of Rye, Somers Councilman Anthony Cirieco, and Westchester County Correction Superior Officers Kevin Kenney and Peter DeChiara.

"This is a no-brainer. The number one rule of government at any level is public safety," Yorktown Town Supervisor Michael Grace said. "This type of legislation is not a burden on anyone's rights. It is needed to protect our children. This legislation should be passed."

Somers Town Supervisor Rick Morrissey added, "I would like to commend Senator Murphy for all his efforts to protect the public, and most of all for protecting our most precious resources - our children. This is important legislation, and we in Somers welcome it."

Somers Councilman Bill Faulkner issued a statement in support, saying, "As a Councilman in Senator Murphy's district, it should be known that I stand 100% with the Senator in this important cause. Common sense dictates that these particular offenders should be miles, not yards, away from their victims. I ask any member of the New York State Assembly who opposes these reforms - How many sex offenders live 1,000 feet from your children?"