Pedophile law hearing

Township Council will take comments from public on proposed pedophile ordinance

By: Lauren Burgoon
   WASHINGTON — The Township Council will hear public comment tonight (Thursday) on proposed restrictions for where registered pedophiles can live in town.
   The hearing will take place at the regular council meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the senior center.
   The council took the unusual step at its last meeting of refusing to introduce a pedophile ordinance before getting input from residents first. Normally an ordinance is introduced and subjected to public comment before either getting adopted or rejected by a governing body.
   Instead, Council President Sonja Walter pointed to the loaded issue’s implications and asked for comment before the council even introduces the restrictions.
   An anti-pedophile ordinance would likely set up 2,500-foot zones around schools, parks, playgrounds and day care centers. Pedophiles judged by the state to be at medium or high risk of re-offense would be barred from moving into the zones. Current residents would be allowed to stay regardless of their classification, though the state registry shows no pedophiles living in Washington.
   Adopting the restrictions became vogue after neighboring Hamilton became the first New Jersey town to enforce the zones in May. Hamilton was home to Megan Kanka, who was raped and killed by a convicted sex offender. The crime prompted Megan’s Law, which requires convicted sex offenders to register their addresses and notification when a registered pedophile moves into the neighborhood.
   Though dozens of New Jersey towns followed Hamilton’s suit, some council members have show hesitation about a similar standard in Washington. Ronda Hyams said a piece of paper may not do much to protect children, while Ms. Walter said a Washington ordinance could push pedophiles into other towns, endangering those children.
   Resident who cannot attend the hearing tonight can send comments to Township Clerk Michele Auletta via e-mail [email protected].