Lawmakers join in as parents push for harsher laws after registered sex offender moves near school
After seeing Channel 11′s story and hearing from several concerned parents and community leaders, two lawmakers are looking into an issue that’s been getting a lot of attention in Hampton Township
Channel 11 was the first to tell you last week that many parents in Hampton Township are pushing for harsher laws after a registered sex offender, who is deemed by the state as a sexually violent predator, recently moved next door to the Central Elementary School.
RELATED >>> Some parents frustrated after sex offender moves next to local school, no laws to prevent it
Currently in Pennsylvania, there are no laws restricting where registered sex offenders live once they serve their sentence and are released from probation or parole.
“In this case, we do have a more lenient set of laws,” said state Rep. Rob Mercuri.
Mercuri said he’s considering taking legislative action on this issue and is working together with state representative Arvind Venkat. They both represent Hampton Township.
Mercuri said under Megan’s Law in Pennsylvania, it is required to publicly disclose when and where a sexually violent predator moves into the neighborhood. However, other states have stricter requirements.
“Other states do have restrictions in place where sexually violent predators are required to live a certain distance away from sensitive areas where minors are more likely to be at risk, like local schools, day cares and playgrounds,” said Mercuri.
Both lawmakers plan to be at Tuesday night’s community meeting, along with police and school representatives. They plan to listen to the community’s concerns.
Last week, some parents created a petition demanding a law be put in place to stop sex offenders from living next to schools. They want to prohibit sex offenders under Megan’s Law from living within 2,500 feet of any school or day care.
“I’m certainly open to drafting legislation narrowly constructed and applied to those who are sexually violent predators from living in close proximity to schools and child care centers,” said Venkat.
The community meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the Hampton Community Center. After the meeting, both state representatives said they are going to look into this problem further and will see if new legislation is the next step.
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
TRENDING NOW:
2 children killed in Sewickley house fire Recall alert: Jeep recalls nearly 63K Wranglers Former Pittsburgh police officer, mayoral candidate charged for allegedly threatening man with gun VIDEO: Indiana County teacher facing child porn charges DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
