Concerned Watertown mom wants sex offender rules updated

Apr. 18—WATERTOWN — A mother of a 4-year-old boy had no idea that a registered sex offender who was convicted of sexually abusing three children was living next to her and across the street from a home day care business.

The young mother, Sierra Penrose, is now working on reviving a state Senate bill that would prohibit sex offenders from living near such day cares.

The bill, which was first proposed a decade ago, hasn't gained traction, even though it's been reintroduced several times.

The proposed legislation would be similar to a state law that prohibits sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school.

Penrose spoke during Monday night's City Council meeting about how she was not notified that the Level 3 sex offender was living next to her McClelland Street home.

An offender's level of risk — Level 1, low; Level 2, moderate; and Level 3, high — is determined in court by a point system, with points assessed for different categories. Categories include the use of force, weapons, alcohol or drugs, the victim's age, number of victims, relationship to the victim or any injury of the victim, among other factors.

Each level may also carry a designation — sexual predator, sexually violent offender or predicate sex offender. The McClelland Street offender is designated as a sexually violent offender, according to the registry.

Penrose, who bought her house about a year ago, also told council members that the operator of the day care also was not notified that he was living in the neighborhood.

"A violent sex offender with a track record of abusing children is allowed to move freely within the city and move in next door to whoever he pleases," she said.

She just happened to look at the state's sex offender registry when she found out that he had moved into the house next door six months ago.

One of the sex offender's victims was a 4-year-old boy, the same age as her son.

"I just want to protect my children," she said.

Also a mother of a 1-year-old girl, Penrose was so upset that she was not notified that she went door-to-door to find out if her neighbors knew about it. None of the seven did.

While canvasing her neighborhood, she talked to Patti Pfister, who owns a state-licensed home day care across the street. Pfister knew nothing about the sex offender.

Pfister, who has operated her day care since 1996, is concerned about the six children under her care. Both Pfister and Penrose called the Watertown Police Department to see what can be done about the sex offender, who as a Level 3 offender must be on the state registry for the rest of his life.

"It's very scary," she said.

Nothing can be done, they said. The sex offender is listed on the state sex offender registry as having served a four-year sentenced and is no longer on probation.

The police department is not responsible for notifying people that a sex offender has moved into their neighborhood, but residents can access the registry online and sign up for notifications.

City police Lt. Jason Badalato referred questions to the Jefferson County Probation Department and state agencies. The Probation Department did not return a reporter's request for comment.

On Monday, City Council members sympathized with Penrose but told her that there's nothing that the city can do about the situation.

Councilwoman Lisa A. Ruggiero advised Penrose that the Watertown Neighborhood Watch group shares the names and addresses of sex offenders listed on the state's registry. Penrose is joining Neighborhood Watch, she said.

Mayor Sarah V.C. Pierce is reaching out to state Sen. Mark C. Walczyk and Assemblyman Scott A. Gray's offices to lobby support for the bill. Penrose also is contacting lawmakers.

This year, the proposed legislation was reintroduced and assigned to the Codes Committee in the Senate and the Standing Committee on Correction in the Assembly.

Under the current proposed bill, the legislation does not pertain to sex offenders living near day cares and who have completed their sentences and are no longer under parole or probation supervision.

James Uhlinger, chief of staff for Assemblyman Gray, said he planned to talk to Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski, a sponsor of the Assembly bill, to see if it can be changed so it affects sex offenders who have already gone through parole or probation.

He's hoping that it can be changed, so it would apply to the sex offender in Penrose's neighborhood.

Penrose said she just wants to feel that her two children are safe.