JOCO group pushing for tougher sex offender restrictions gets support in Topeka
By: Ryan Kath
TOPEKA, Kansas - A Johnson County group is pushing for tougher restrictions on registered sex offenders and has now received support from city leaders in Topeka.
On Tuesday, the Topeka City Council unanimously approved a resolution argued for by Kansas Rights 4 Kids.
NBC Action News has followed the Olathe-based group since it started an effort to make it illegal for convicted child molesters to live near parks and schools . Currently, the state of Kansas does not have residency restrictions for sex offenders.
Next week, the group will be testifying before the Joint Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice.
The idea has been debated in Topeka before. However, opponents argued the restrictions make it tougher for law enforcement agencies to track sex offenders and decrease public safety.
Kansas Rights 4 Kids wants the restrictions only to apply to offenders convicted of child sex crimes.
The resolution read: “The city of Topeka strongly supports efforts to strengthen and enhance Kansas state laws with respect to registered sex offenders. Education, monitoring and enhanced community awareness to keep children as safe as possible—at home, in neighborhoods and at school—should be the goal of government, parents and all citizens. Effective and efficient provisions should be supported to better protect our children.”
Copyright 2010 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_kansas/johnson_county/olathe-parents-push-for-housing-restrictions-for-child-molesters
TOPEKA, Kansas - A Johnson County group is pushing for tougher restrictions on registered sex offenders and has now received support from city leaders in Topeka.
On Tuesday, the Topeka City Council unanimously approved a resolution argued for by Kansas Rights 4 Kids.
NBC Action News has followed the Olathe-based group since it started an effort to make it illegal for convicted child molesters to live near parks and schools . Currently, the state of Kansas does not have residency restrictions for sex offenders.
Next week, the group will be testifying before the Joint Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice.
The idea has been debated in Topeka before. However, opponents argued the restrictions make it tougher for law enforcement agencies to track sex offenders and decrease public safety.
Kansas Rights 4 Kids wants the restrictions only to apply to offenders convicted of child sex crimes.
The resolution read: “The city of Topeka strongly supports efforts to strengthen and enhance Kansas state laws with respect to registered sex offenders. Education, monitoring and enhanced community awareness to keep children as safe as possible—at home, in neighborhoods and at school—should be the goal of government, parents and all citizens. Effective and efficient provisions should be supported to better protect our children.”
Copyright 2010 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_kansas/johnson_county/olathe-parents-push-for-housing-restrictions-for-child-molesters
