On a chilly, rainy May 18, local assembly members rallied outside the Capri Motel in West Hempstead where they say two Level 3 sex offenders convicted of first-degree sexual abuse have been living. Assemblyman Tom Alfano, alongside numerous concerned parents, called rooms 213 and 119 of the motel a "clear danger to children, families and seniors." The motel is just blocks from both George Washington and John Street elementary schools.

A motel employee who asked that his name not be used however told Anton Newspapers that both men are no longer living at the motel and were there for less than two weeks. "The government placed them here," he yelled, "and now the citizens are mad at the people who serve them ... clothing stores, motels, restaurants, etc."

The employee went on to say that he had no idea the two men were convicted sex offenders when Nassau County's Department of Social Services placed them at the motel. "It's the government's fault that they let them out ... Either keep them in jail for life or don't. What are people supposed to do when they get out?" he asked.

Another employee, who has two daughters of his own, added, "...They are no longer here. They were kindly asked to leave."

Assemblyman Tom Alfano shot back, stating, "Bravo! They shouldn't have been here in the first place. This isn't about this motel right now; this is about statewide legislation making it such that this cannot be the case ... There is a hole in the law and we are here to provide a change in the law to make sure that this doesn't happen throughout New York State ... This law is a modest proposal and will probably be tested in the courts ... We are on the legislature to draw lines, to make decisions for the well-being of our constituents and then its up to the courts to see whether or not we were reasonable in our application of the laws that we passed."

Assemblyman Alfano is the lead sponsor - and Assemblymen Tom McKevitt, Rob Walker and Bob Barra co-sponsors - of a bill to amend the social services law, in relation to restricting placement of Level II and III sex offenders (moderate to high risk of repeat of offense) in social services district-funded shelters or housing accommodations located within 3,000 feet of any public or private elementary, middle or high school, nursery school, playground, day care facility, nursing home, adult day care facility, house of worship or senior citizen center or facility.

The provisions would apply to any shelter or housing accommodation funded by a social services district, in whole or in part, either directly through the use of social services district funds or as a conduit for state and federal funds.

Assembly members believe the bill is justified because, under current law, Level II and III sex offenders can be placed in any housing through social services and in some cases, near places where children and the elderly congregate. "Understanding the recidivist nature of these sex offenders, this bill aims to prevent the state from placing Level II and III offenders within a close proximity to children and the elderly," assembly members said.

Assemblyman McKevitt has for some time pushed to protect Long Island families from sex offenders. "Ensuring the safety of families on Long Island throughout the state is the number one priority for me and my colleagues," McKevitt once said.

"The bottom line is that motels need to know that housing dangerous sex offenders poses a threat to the community's safety. Families need protection and information to safeguard their families," Assemblyman Alfano added.

Dr. Tom Dolan, superintendent of the Franklin Square School District, said his district was never notified. "There is a flaw in the system that only notifies residents within a school district despite the fact that I have a school with several hundred children in it; fairly close to this building, my school district was never notified. Obviously that's a concern," he said.

This legislation shall take effect on the 120th day after it becomes law, provided that any rules or regulations necessary for the timely implementation of the provisions of this act on its effective date shall be promulgated on or before such date.