MIDDLE ISLAND – In an effort to protect children and ease the growing population of sex offenders in Brookhaven Town, Supervisor Mark Lesko, Councilwomen Connie Kepert and Kathleen Walsh announced Thursday that they are strengthening Councilwoman Kepert’s groundbreaking legislation that restricts the areas where these dangerous sex offenders are allowed to live.

Councilwoman Kepert’s bill, the Child Protection Act of 2007, restricted sex offenders from living within a quarter-mile of all schools, playgrounds, and parks within Brookhaven Town. Since then, states and municipalities nationwide have expanded the reach of restricted residence areas.

The amendment to Councilwoman Kepert’s bill would prevent sex offenders from living within a quarter-mile of “community protection zones,” which include: any school, park, playground, daycare center, school bus stop, video arcade, amusement park, ice cream store, skate park, youth sports facility, church, gymnasium, public swimming pools, ball field, library, movie theater, public or private youth center or shopping mall.

“When I talk to residents throughout the Township, one thing is clear: Brookhaven is overburdened by sex offenders – and we’re not going to take it anymore,” Supervisor Lesko said. “We’re going to continue Councilwoman Kepert’s efforts to keep Brookhaven’s children safe from sex offenders by focusing a bright light on those landlords that rent to the most violent sex offenders in our communities.”

“Town Hall is committed to keeping the children of Brookhaven safe,” said Councilwoman Kepert.

“I wrote the original bill because residents are alarmed by the growing population of sex offenders, particularly in the communities I represent,” said Councilwoman Kepert. “At the time, the bill addressed concerns of parents when their children went to school and played in parks. But in the two years since I passed the Child Protection Act, other municipalities have expanded upon our legislation – and we are committed to being at the cutting edge of protecting our residents against sexual predators. Our bill does just that: It keeps our children safe in the places they visit and congregate – and gives parents the peace of mind they deserve.”

Councilwoman Walsh added: “This is a Town-wide issue that affects every parent in every hamlet. Parents in some communities get dozens of sex offender notifications from their school districts – and we can’t continue to allow obvious threats to our children lurk in the shadows of our Town without taking the most aggressive action possible.”