Sex offenders take on Rockland County law

Registered sex offenders are challenging a Rockland County law designed to keep them away from child safety zones, claiming that the legislation makes it difficult for them to find a place to live. The

News 12 Staff

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May 28, 2014, 6:54 PM

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Updated 3,859 days ago

Registered sex offenders are challenging a Rockland County law designed to keep them away from child safety zones, claiming that the legislation makes it difficult for them to find a place to live.

The law, which was signed last year by County Executive Scott Vanderhoef, states that sex offenders are prohibited to come within 1,000 feet of any place that caters to children.

But since 2007, sex offenders have been suing the county, alleging that the legislation that was designed to protect children is violating their rights.

Vanderhoef says the county is getting boxed in, and a broader policy needs to be developed to effectively help sex offenders on probation to finding housing.

However, parents like Ronna Weiner, of New City, and a mother of four, say sex offenders should not get any leverage.

"They should have thought of that before they committed the crime," she says. "They are not part of the community...they are dangerous."

There are three levels of sex offenders: low, moderate and high risk of repeating. Level 3 offenders are on the registry for life.