Brucia Family, DAs, Law Enforcement, Victims' Advocates Join Assembly Minority Conference To Push For Stronger 'Megan's Law,' Civil Confinement
Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick, right, discusses the legislative proposal with Carlie Brucia's grandparents. Seated on the left are Joseph Sr. and Andrea Brucia, from Wantagh, and her father, Joseph. |
"Knowledge is safety. The more parents know about the appearance and whereabouts of convicted sex offenders, the better prepared they will be to protect their children," said Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick (R,C-Smithtown). "Our legislation would expand the 'Megan's Law' Web site to include information on all registered sex offenders and require updated photos so dangerous predators can be identified and kept away from our children."
Representatives from the Suffolk and Nassau County District Attorney's offices, Nassau Police Department and prominent victims' rights advocates voiced support for legislation that would allow for "civil confinement" of dangerous sex offenders, prohibit sex predators from living near schools and increase penalties for offenders who fail to register on the state's sex offender database.
Among the key proposals the Assembly Minority Conference is pressing for is civil confinement, which would allow the courts to order the worst sex offenders held in a secure mental facility beyond a prison release date if, upon evaluation, there is significant reason to believe the offender may strike again.
Carlie Brucia's father, Joseph Brucia, and grandparents, Joseph Sr. and Andrea Brucia, who live in Wantagh, spoke in support of the legislation at the forum. Carlie was recently kidnapped and murdered not far from her Florida home in a case that attracted national attention after a videotape purportedly showed Brucia's alleged killer, Joseph P. Smith, abducting the girl.
"The family of little Carlie Brucia has to live with the pain of knowing her life was tragically and needlessly cut short by a convicted felon who served a little more than a year for the crimes he committed," said Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick). "It is the responsibility of government to ensure the safety of all its citizens, and this legislation would provide parents and law enforcement with the tools they need to accomplish that."
The Assembly Minority Conference has been urging a civil confinement law since 1993. The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of such statutes, and a similar bill has repeatedly passed the state Senate.
"Most of these violent sex offenders simply cannot be rehabilitated and are likely to strike again if set free," said Assemblyman Joseph Saladino (R,C,I-Massapequa). "Passage of civil confinement legislation would give judges the latitude they need to keep the most violent sexual predators locked up and away from children and women."
The Assembly Minority plan also calls for increasing penalties and extending the statute of limitations for all sex crimes involving children, and adding information about Levels 1 and 2 sex offenders on the "Megan's Law" website. Currently, information is publicly available about only Level 3, the highest-risk offenders. Additionally, the plan also requires photos of sex offenders listed on the Web site be updated regularly. For more information about Megan's Law or the sex offender registry, visit the New York state Division of Criminal Justice Services Web Site at www.criminaljustice.state.ny.us.
"The sexual abuse of a child is one of the most despicable crimes because it often leaves the victim with emotional and psychological scars that last a lifetime," said Assemblywoman Catharine Young (R,C,I-Olean), chair of the Assembly Minority Steering Committee. "Enacting these proposals would go a long way toward keeping society's most vulnerable citizens from being preyed upon."
Currently in Suffolk County, there are currently 76 Level 3 sex offenders listed on the state Division of Criminal Justice Services' Megan's Law Web site, including 10 who live within one-half mile of a public school. In Nassau County, 39 registered Level 3 sex offenders are listed, while eight live within one-half mile of a public school.
Another key provision of the Assembly Minority plan would prohibit sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school, school playground, day care centers, and other educational facilities where children are likely to be present.
"It's imperative that we take all the steps necessary to keep dangerous sex offenders from preying on potential victims," said Assemblyman Andrew Raia (R,C-East Northport). "Preventing convicted criminals from living near places where children play and gather is just plain common sense, and another significant step we can take to keep kids safe."
The Long Island roundtable is the second of a series planned throughout the state to garner support for Megan's Law reform this legislation session.