Several months ago, it came to my attention that we had a registered sex offender in Ward Nine. A few of the immediate neighbors were excited to discover the proximity of the man through the Sheriff provided websites, and thus, called me about it.
Having sat through countless meetings with enforcement personnel, and listening to the rational behind open placement in mixed neighborhoods over and over, I understand the need to keep these offenders where authorities can track them.
However, like the folks on O'Reilly St, I found it odd that the probation officer found it tolerable for him to reside next to Kingston High School. And what about the landlord? Is the guarantee of rent by the state is so much a prize that he'd willingly house someone of this ilk near the school?
The 20 something in question, is a level 2 offender and should have been placed somewhere further from youth. Sorry, just my opinion.
Note: This has no connection to the issue of "district banning" either.
After separate conversations with Chief Keller and Don Ryan of the Sheriff's Department, the months long process of finding alternative lodging began. He is now living in Massachusetts in a facility designed just for this situation.
Even without incident, I would like the officers in charge of housing/placement to consider the schools, daycares and youth centers when guiding these men and women in the system. Yes, I know every case is different. But there has to be a little forethought when location is considered.Perhaps the facility in Massachusetts could provide us with a template for further housing studies in New York. The desired result of such a study may have to travel to Albany for any action to occur. More on that later.
11 comments:
In the future, can we get access to the landlord's address and petition him/her to please be more selective when renting?
What else do we have to work with?
Would the city assessor provide this info?
Don Ryan has been a great resource for us landlords. I have contacted him on several occasions with perspective tenants. A few of them have set off alarms and my wife and I are grateful for the info.
If Don is made aware of a serious problem, it's sure to be solved.
All I can say is, thank you! I have children. I know its near impossible to track all offenders of this nature, I feel safer that my children are a little safer now that this man is gone from our surrounding neighborhood. One thing that puzzles me though, why are there only 3 comments on this subject in this blog including my own when there are loads of comments on other subjects of other things not nearly as important is this one?
To 7:30 Either it's early yet, or dog shit signs mean more to the people in our city. Lets watch and see.
I too became aware of sex offenders in our neighborhood after a woman, a few years ago, noted where they were located and encouraged trick treaters to avoid that street which happened to be where i lived. That is why I became involved with the Ward 9 neighborhood group. It was a concerned that was addressed at one of our meetings and from time to time I look at the NYS website of registered sex offenders. Of course, you have to hope that sex offenders will register!!! Should be a very stiff sentence if they fail to do so.
What people don't realize is in the city of Kingston there are many sex offenders that live here. If you go on Watchdog.com and put your address in you will see that there are sex offenders that are level 3's living right around the corner from St.Josephs which I don't agree with. They live near parks and schools which as I understand they are not supposed too. Also since they live in the city of Kingston why if we live here we are not being notified by Kingston PD. Is KPD really checking up on them. I really don't think so.
Actually there are no legal restrictions once they have served their time and their probation period is over. They remain on the list, but it is preferred that the authorities just know where they are.
There is always the threat that too much restriction pushes them underground and we lose track of em.
The department spokesmen can explain this better next time there is a neighborhood meeting.
Here is a link I found thats lists atleast 39 of the registered sex offenders in Kingston. Mind though the list is much longer then this.
Heres the link forgot to add it on the last one.
http://www.city-data.com/so/so-Kingston-New-York.html
Thank you for your posts and efforts Mike. You are very good for this community. Keep up the good work! :)
Mike i want to thank you for this and all that you do in the city of kingston. What makes you a great Alderman is that there are no lines in your ward. If you see a problem you take care of it. I know as living in another ward to see you in my ward is a great thing because i know your doing something good. Thank you for your day's and nights that you are on the streets cleaning and helping people.
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