Village of Mineola Hearing Scheduled for Jan. 10

The Village of Mineola will consider a local law that would set restrictions on where sex offenders can reside in the village. A public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in Village Hall, 155 Washington Avenue.

According to the sex offender registry on parentsformeganslaw.com, there are three registered sex offenders located within the borders of the village. The concern is that such offenders do not prey on children whether in parks, at schools or at bus stops.

Mineola Mayor Jack M. Martins says the village has an opportunity to set restrictions on where sex offenders can reside. "I think it's important as a community that we set parameters for ourselves as to what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. We don't have them in place right now," he said. "If you're a parent of a child, you need to feel secure that you're not going to have a predator within a certain distance of your children whether it's a park, a bus stop or a school."

The Long Beach City Council passed an ordinance last month that prohibits registered sex offenders in Long Beach from living within 1,000 feet from schools and 500 feet from playgrounds, bus stops and areas that might house or do business with women and children.

The Village of Mineola will hold a regular monthly meeting on Jan. 3 at village hall with a work session scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and a public meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

- Joe Rizza