Goldfeder: We must do everything we can to keep our children and families safe

Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder

Goldfeder Toughens Sex Offender Laws

 

Drafts legislation to include public parks in restricted areas for level 2 and 3 offenders

Goldfeder: we must do everything we can to keep our children and families safe

 Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder announced today he will introduce legislation that will expand current laws and crack-down on registered level 2 and 3 sex-offenders in New York State, including those convicted of molesting, raping and abusing minors.

 “As a parent of two young children, I understand how critical it is that we create stronger laws to keep sexual predators out of areas where our children congregate and play,” said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder. “I drafted this new legislation to ensure that sex offenders stay out of our public parks and away from our children.”  

 Goldfeder’s legislation will fine tune current laws by restricting convicted sex offenders from residing within 500 feet or less from any public park with a playground. This legislation will close the sex offender loophole and ensure that all parks where children commonly play remain off limits to dangerous sex offenders. Current state regulations restrict sex offenders from living within 1000 feet or accessing parks that are attached to school buildings, but no regulation exists for parks that are not aligned with schools, noted Goldfeder.

“On behalf of Rocakaway parents, I applaud Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder for his quick action and response to our genuine concerns about the safety and wellbeing of our children,” said Irene Dougherty, PTA co-president of The Belle Harbor School, PS 114. “It’s nice to know that Assemblyman Goldfeder not only represents us, but that he truly listens to us as well. As a mother of three young boys, I'm happy to know that our Assemblyman is watching out for their safety.”

 Earlier this month, parents and residents became outraged after they learned two convicted sex offenders moved into the same building on Beach 116th Street in Rockaway, Queens, over the 1000 feet from the nearest school but within a few hundred feet of the beach and public parks.

“As advocate for the rebuilding and development of Frank Charles Park as well as a mother and grandmother living in the community, I believe it is not only important to make our parks beautiful, but also to make them safe and secure from adults who prey upon our defenseless children,” said Dorothy McCloskey, director of Friends of Charles Park. “I support any legislation that can help secure the safety of our community.” 

 Goldfeder has been a long advocate on strengthening laws for sex offenders and sponsored several laws. In 2012, Goldfeder sponsored legislation that was signed by the Governor (Chap. 364 of 2012), that would require registered high-level sex offenders to keep their photos up to date by having their photo taken every 90 days. Additionally, Goldfeder sponsored legislation that would prohibit owners of multiple dwellings, such as apartment complexes from hiring Level 2 or 3 offenders as a building superintendent or manager.

 “I will fight to ensure our families and children live in a safe community and that parents have the peace of mind they deserve,” concluded Goldfeder. “We need to create stronger laws that will allow our children to remain protected and out of the reach of sexual predators.”