ALBANY, NY — The New York State Senate Coalition has released a report on dangerous sex offenders living near Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs in Westchester and Rockland Counties including two programs in New Rochelle, The Guidance Center and New Rochelle Daycare.
The report,“Keeping Our Children Safe From Sex Offenders, Special Report: Westchester & Rockland Counties” was based on research conducted by the offices of State Senate Coalition Co-Leader Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) and State Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos (R-Nassau). The report uncovered sex offenders living within 1,000 feet of preschools in Westchester and Rockland due to loopholes in current law.
The State Senate recently passed nine key sex offender bills — including a measure to close the loophole allowing dangerous sex offenders to reside near preschools and legislation granting localities the right to toughen residency restrictions for sexual predators. These bills all await passage by the New York State Assembly.
“As the author of Megan’s Law, I recognize that we must continue to take whatever steps are necessary to protect our children from dangerous sexual predators,” said Senate Majority Leader Skelos.
In Westchester and Rockland, six convicted sex offenders outright violate state law by living within 1,000 feet of grade schools with Pre-K programs. Seven sex offenders skirt the law in Westchester and reside within 1,000 feet of stand-alone Pre-K programs not attached to grade schools—currently unprotected by state law.
Among them are Douglas Krakie who resides at 11 Locust Avenue in New Rochelle, a distance of 687 feet from The Guidance Center at 32 LeCount Place in New Rochelle, and Michael Newman who resides at 121 Coligni Avenue in New Rochelle, a distance of 370 feet from the New Rochelle Daycare at 115 Clinton Ave in New Rochelle.
Krakie is a Level 3 sex offender, his victim was 14 years old. Newman is a Level 3 sex offender, his victim was under 17 years old.