I applaud the state Senate for recently passing two pieces of legislation, sponsored by Senator Alesi, that will make it even more difficult for sex offenders to roam our streets.
The first bill restricts convicted Level 3 sex offenders from living within one-quarter mile of a school or daycare facility, and the other makes it a felony for any sex offender to knowingly give false information to a law enforcement officer.
I agree with Senator Alesi that the best weapon we have against sex offenders is knowledge, and both these bills would give law enforcement and concerned citizens the information they need to keep children and families safe from sexual predators.
Many of my Majority colleagues in the Assembly are opposed to this legislation because they argue that the bills abuse the civil liberties of sex offenders.
I disagree. It is in our best interest to keep the worst sex offenders from living near children, who they tend to prey on, and it is important that all sex offenders give accurate information as to their location to prevent them from moving to another community to repeat their crimes in anonymity.
Legislators should pass bills for the good of the community and leave the civil liberties discussion for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the courts to decide.
I call on the Assembly to pass this legislation for the greater safety of our communities.