New GIS system in Babylon will help to track convicted sexual predators; protect the public
Carolyn James

An investment by the Town of Babylon in a Geographic Information System (GIS) three years ago has made it possible for the Town to bring an added measure of protection to the public against pedophiles. In a press conference last week, Babylon Town Supervisor announced that the system, a first in New York State, will now be used to identify where registered level 2 and level 3 offenders are living, and confirm that they are not violating a town and county residency restriction law.

The program's first run showed that 41 level 2 and 3 offenders (moderate to high risk) were living within a quarter mile of schools, playgrounds, day care centers and parks, which is a violation of law. Only one, however, moved in after the law went into effect in June, and town officials took immediate action to advise the landlord, Frontier Park mobile home community, that the tenant was in violation. A spokesman for the mobile home park said they took immediate action when advised last week and evicted the tenant.

"We applaud the Supervisor for taking a proactive role because we believe that towns do have the power to have some level of control over the quality of life and the safety of residents living in their communities," said Laura Ahearn executive director of Parents for Megan's Law who attended the press conference. A spokesperson for the mobile h ome community said he was advised of the infraction and had the tenant evicted last week.

The Town of Babylon is familiar with clustering, said the Supervisor, because in 2003 it was revealed that the Brook Motel in North Babylon was housing more than a dozen sex offenders. At the time, the Town, which had not been previously notified of the placements, took swift action putting pressure on the owner to remove them from the hotel. When Suffolk County refused to act promptly, the Town sued the Department of Social Services and the Town's position was upheld by a Judge.

The program depends upon a town map in the GIS system that identifies the locations of every school, park, nursery school and day care center in the Town. With that information already logged into the sys- tem, a Town employee regularly monitors the registered sex offenders website for those moving into Babylon. That information, including their addresses, are put into the system and matched against the map. When a sex offender takes up residence in an area that violates the quarter mile restriction, the program recognizes that and transfers that information to the computer operator, enabling the Town to act. It will also indicate if there is a cluster in the area.

"The Town has always taken a hard stance on illegal rentals and we know that many of these registered sex offenders are living in illegal rental properties," said Bellone. "If the landlord and offender does not respond to the summonses received, these cases will be brought before the newly formed Babylon Community Court, where civil action and evictions proceedings will be enforced."

A full color copy of this map is available to subscribers at www.amityvillerecord.com

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