Law limits where sex offenders live

A new Allegheny County ordinance that limits the places where registered sex offenders can… A new Allegheny County ordinance that limits the places where registered sex offenders can live received unanimous support from County Council despite concerns over civil rights and the ultimate effectiveness of the law.

The ordinance, signed into law by Allegheny County chief executive Dan Onorato last week, prohibits registered sexual offenders from living within 2,500 feet of a school, childcare center, community center, public park or playground.

“Allegheny County is taking action to provide another level of security and protection for our children by imposing residency restrictions on sex offenders,” Onorato said in a press release last week.

The ordinance is an addition to Megan’s Law, which requires sex offenders to register their addresses with the local police departments.

Last week, Councilman Vince Gastgeb, of Bethel Park, who introduced the bill, said, “This is a necessary measure for our county and is an excellent first step in filling a dangerous gap in Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law.”

Concerns have been expressed, however, over the degree to which the ordinance limits the civil rights of sex offenders.

The bill does not force current residents to vacate or stop sex offenders from entering certain areas, but prohibits them from moving into these areas in the future.

Pitt Law professor John Burkoff said that this law could conflict with the constitutional right of due process that limits what the government can do to someone who has paid his debt to society and served a jail sentence.

But Burkoff believes that if a civil rights case went to trial, “The court would uphold this kind of limitation because it does not keep sexual offenders from having places to live or effect where they can go.”

The root of the law comes down to the needs of the community.

Sue Washburn, spokeswoman for the Ellis School in Pittsburgh claimed that this law “does the heart good.”

Also a mother, Washburn said she hopes that this bill will increase safety, but is not convinced that there will actually be results.

“I think the law may give people a false sense of security, but if it helped in one case I would want it in the books.”

Local police departments are still determining how they will enforce this law, according to Kevin Evanto, director of communications for Allegheny County and spokesman for Onorato.

Evanto said that over the next several months the county solicitor and county police will devise a plan of enforcement.