Owego Residents Say Sex Offender Restrictions ‘Not Strict Enough’

Residents in the village of Owego said state laws and restrictions regarding sex offenders are not strict enough, and they want the ability to pass legislation to fall back into the local government’s hands. A February ruling by the New York State Court of Appeals determined that the State will decide restrictions against sex offenders, rather than local municipalities. Owego was just one of many municipalities affected by the switch. The Village Sex Offender Residency Law was passed in August by the Village of Owego board, but because the State now controls sex offender laws and restrictions, the local law is no longer being followed, and will be replaced. Local residents and trustees said the law was passed because they wanted to do what is best for the village and the people living in it, especially the children. They said the laws are also not what is best for sex offenders. There are currently nine bills that have been passed by the State Senate aimed at tightening sex offender laws.