Can they get it right this time?

I really hope this is the last time I’ll be writing about a Level 3 sex offender in Niagara County who’s making more moves than a contestant on “So You Think You Can Dance”.

Here’s the rundown. First, the state Division of Parole put the guy in a Niagara Falls motel that’s near an elementary school. Bad idea. Neighbors got mad, so the state moved him to a motel in North Tonawanda that’s even closer to a school….not to mention a daycare center. Worse idea.

So here’s the state’s solution. LET HIM FIND HIS OWN PLACE TO LIVE. The Division of Parole wants the guy to come up with a place, and then they’ll make sure it doesn’t violate his probation or any laws. Yeah, I have a lot of faith in them. The state has a law preventing Level 3 sex offenders from living near a school…and so far, the state Division of Parole is oh for two in following that law. They also managed to miss a local ordinance in North Tonawanda. But we can hope. Stay tuned.

Welcome to the neighborhood, part two

A few weeks ago we were happy to report that the state was moving a sex offender out of a halfway house that was near an elementary school in Niagara Falls. I have to admit, we were a little harsh on the decision to put him there in the first place. I believe I called the person responsible a bozo.

It turns out bozo is much too nice a word. When they moved him to a North Tonawanda motel, THEY PUT HIM EVEN CLOSER TO ANOTHER SCHOOL! Not only that, there’s a daycare center nearby. HELLO???? Did anyone ever think about maybe taking a drive through the neighborhood before dumping a sex offender there? A little common sense maybe?

The state has a law preventing level 3 sex offenders from living near a school. It’s a good law…it’s supposed to protect children. You’d think the folks at the state Division of Parole might follow it.

When we reported the move we said in a joking way that since we’re dealing with bureaucrats, the guy could end up near an amusement park. Advice to the folks at Fantasy Island: be on the lookout.