Sparta drafts sex offender ordinance

Sparta - The council approved the creation of an ordinance that will dictate where convicted sex offenders may reside within town. Various figures were discussed and the final number came to 2,500 feet away from any public area that is frequented by numerous children, such as local parks, schools and day care centers. The council chose this radius because it supports similar ordinances that have been passed by townships throughout the state. “Putting circles around these areas is our justice system,” said Mayor Manny Goldberg. “These people are let out early, and they become predators to our young people.” He said this issue is most likely to be brought up to the superior court because this ordinance prevents sex offenders from living within the town limits of each township that approves it. He said if all of the townships within the state approve such an ordinance, it would push convicted sex offenders out of the state. “This thing is going to end up in the courts, anyway,” Goldberg said. “Not with Sparta, but the other towns.” The town will then make adjustments to the ordinance once a Superior Court judge hands down a verdict on the issue, he said. The sex offenders who will be affected by this ordinance are those who have to register with the township police, and are on file with the Megan’s Law registry. Megan’s Law mandates that sex offenders be identified to allow communities better protection from possible repeat offenders. The registry brakes offenders down into three tiers, where the first tier is least likely to re-offend, and the third tier is most likely to repeat an attack.