From the Courier Post Online:
Towns stand by offender bans
By TIM ZATZARINY JR.
A municipal ordinance that restricts where convicted sex offenders may live is designed to withstand court challenges like the one it’s about to face, Mayor David Ferrucci said Wednesday.
“We believe we really went the extra yard to craft an ordinance that would pass legal and constitutional muster,” said Ferrucci, adding the ordinance is needed because of the high rate of recidivism by sex offenders.
“We’re going to defend it vigorously. Personally, I believe this ought to be state law.”
Ferrucci defended the ordinance a day after the state public defender’s office filed a lawsuit challenging a municipality’s right to establish “pedophile-free zones.”
The lawsuit centers on a 76-year-old township resident who pleaded guilty in 2000 to molesting three children in his home, including his two grandchildren.
Under terms of the municipal ordinance, the man — whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of the victims — and his disabled wife could be forced next week to leave the home he’s owned since 1969.
“This is my only home. I own the home and pay my taxes and everything. And I was allowed to come back here when I got out (of prison),” the man told The Associated Press. “Where can I go?”
Under the township’s ordinance, convicted sex offenders are not allowed to live within 2,500 feet of schools, day-care centers, churches, recreational areas or libraries. Township officials contend a lake that sits about 2,100 feet from the man’s house is a recreation area because kids swim and fish there.
Under current NJ law, you’re not allowed to know if a pedophile lives next door, until after you purchase the home and become his neighbor.
Lovely.
Yet one more argument for renting in your desired neighborhood for a year, before buying.
We got lucky and rented a place we like. Like the town a lot, but found out after we moved in that within a few blocks of our house are several discreet half-way houses (released criminals/State pen types). Actually, it’s not bad. I’d rather have a reformed gangster/dealer within a few blocks than a pedophile.
That isn’t exactly accurate Unreal, I’m not sure where you got that.
I thought that the law stated that an agent isn’t allwed to disclose that information to you. However, it says nothing about you finding out on your own. I don’t believe providing your client a link to the website where you can find that info..
http://www.state.nj.us/njsp/info/reg_sexoffend.html
I really should put that link in the tools section.
jb
Thanks for clarifying JB.
So a realtor cannot tell you about a pedophile lives next door, or how to find out on your own?
That’s a great link, BTW.
Un: A realtor can direct you to the link–there’s no law or Realtor (TM) code that prevents them from doing so. It’s just up to the diligent house hunter to ask.
You’ll see the following on every NJ sales contract..
MEGAN’S LAW STATEMENT
Under New Jersey law, the county prosecutor determines whether and how to provide notice of convicted sex offenders in an area.
In their professional capacity, real estate licensees are not entitled to notification by the county prosecutor under Megan’s Law and are unable to obtain such information for you. Upon closing, the county prosecutor may be contacted for such further information as may be disclosable to you.
“Upon closing, the county prosecutor may be contacted for such further information as may be disclosable to you.”
Wonderful.
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