(A) Title. The title of this subchapter shall be the “Sexual Offenders Registration Act.”
(B) Legislative findings and intent.
(1) The Village Board finds that one of the highest priorities of local government is the protection of the health and safety of its citizens. This is especially true for children and other vulnerable members of society. The Village Board further finds that convicted sex offenders pose a significant continuing risk to society. Moreover, as the tragic murder of Jessica Lunsford in Florida in spring 2005 and other such events have shown, recidivism among convicted sexual offenders is a continuing problem.
(2) Recently, residents of the village have been advised that there are residing in village a number of convicted sex offenders. At least some of these sex offenders have registered as required by N.Y Correct. Law Art. 6-C, commonly known as “Megan’s Law.” Some of these individuals have been categorized by the State Department of Corrections as Level II sex offenders who have been determined to be of moderate risk of committing another sex crime. Some of these individuals have been categorized as Level III sex offenders who have been determined to be of a high risk to commit another sexual crime. However, the Village Board finds that some sex offenders fail to register or fail to update their registration information when they move from one location to another.
(3) The Village Board finds that the protection of the victims and potential victims of sexual offenders in the village is a matter of unique local concern not fully and adequately addressed by state law. The Village Board finds that the disclosures required and the limitations contained herein will protect the citizens of the village and will provide to employers who contract with the village information that will assist these employers in protecting children who may come into proximity with a sex offender in the scope of employment.
(4) The Village Board finds that the village has not assessed and cannot assess the risk of recidivism of any particular sex offender or class of sex offenders and has made no determination of dangerousness of any particular sex offender or class of sex offenders. Rather, the Board finds that this subchapter is remedial in nature and designed to fill certain gaps in state law as well as to provide protections for residents of the village who receive certain services from the village. The Board further finds this subchapter to be the most narrowly tailored means of fulfilling its compelling interest in the safety of its citizens. Finally, the Board does not intend for any person to use the information required by this subchapter to harm or injure any registrant under the law.
(Ord. 8-2006, passed 10-23-2006)