Res. No. 424
Resolution calling upon the New York State Assembly to pass A.6796, the New York State Senate to introduce and pass similar legislation, and the Governor to sign such legislation into law, requiring level two and level three sex offenders to wear Global Positioning System monitoring devices.
By Council Members Vallone, James, Nelson, Palma and Vann
Whereas, According to New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services' ("DCJS" ) Sex Offenders Registry there are approximately 6,000 sex offenders living in New York City; and
Whereas, Sex offenders can pose a serious threat to public safety as well as to the welfare of children; and
Whereas, Seven-year-old Megan Kanka was a New Jersey resident who was raped and brutally murdered by a known sex offender who moved across the street from the Kanka family's residence; and
Whereas, In 1996 the United States Congress passed a federal law in memoriam to Megan Kanka titled "Megan's Law", which authorizes local law enforcement agencies to notify the public about convicted sex offenders living in their communities; and
Whereas, Megan's Law requires every state to develop a procedure for notifying the public when a sex offender is released into their community; and
Whereas, The New York State Sex Offender Registration Act requires anyone on parole, probation or imprisoned for a sex offense to register with DCJS; and
Whereas, In addition, sex offenders sentenced to probation, local jail, or state prison must register upon their return to the community; and
Whereas, According to DCJS's Sex Offenders Registry there are approximately 3,600 level two and level three sex offenders living in New York City; and
Whereas, Convicted sex offenders who are assessed as posing a possible risk to reoffend are assigned a classification level; and
Whereas, Sex offenders who have been classified as a Level 2 (moderate) or Level 3 (high) are identified on the New York State Sex Offender Registry; and
Whereas, In concert with registering as a sex offender, forty states have programs that require convicted sex offenders to wear an ankle bracelet for monitoring purposes; and
Whereas, This heightened vigilance is required because of the high number of repeat offenders amongst sex offenders; and
Whereas, A.6796, currently pending in the New York State Assembly, would require all Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders to wear an electronic Global Positioning System ("GPS") monitoring device anytime they are not otherwise incarcerated; and
Whereas, A.6796 would create a publicly accessible website that listed satellite tracking and location of all Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders in New York State; and
Whereas, Such website would be constantly updated to show the current location of those being monitored; and
Whereas, Electronic and GPS monitoring technology of Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders ought to be used to help ensure the protection of our children; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Assembly to pass A.6796, the New York State Senate to introduce and pass similar legislation, and the Governor to sign such legislation into law, requiring level two and level three sex offenders to wear Global Positioning System monitoring devices.
WJH
LS # 820
7/7/10