Sex Offender Ordinance Spreads

On December 5, 2006, the city of Danbury passed an ordinance that bans labeled sex offenders from city parks and play areas. States with similar ordinances are those of Texas and Florida. However, Danbury is the first city in the state of Connecticut to pass this enforcement.
Danbury High School students will be spreading the word to 4,000 families of the communities 10,000 students. Students taking part in this effort are enrolled in Peer Leadership, a class offered at Danbury High School in which one has to be recommended. These students must display skills of strong leadership, academics and overall well being. Young people in this program are involved in hours of community service, school wide events, (pre prom Mock Crash) and more. I truly believe these students are keeping the ball rolling for Mayor Boughton's efforts in passing this ordinance. It is very hard to believe that Councilwoman Taborsak was the only member of the Common Council objecting to this ordinance. Taborsak stated in an article from The Courant, "This shouldn't give parents any peace of mind, the only thing that will really keep a child safe is a parent's own vigilance." In another article from the News Times, Taborsak stated, "It's not a go-to-jail-directly card."
Councilwoman Taborsak are you aware that 4,000 people are listed on the state's registry and 40 of them reside here in Danbury? Even though this ordinance doesn't extend into the home, it will open the eyes to the young people who are largely the victims and they in turn can decide if they are treated uncomfortably by strangers or even family/friends. These children will see the signs posted by their play areas in hopes that their parent or guardian will explain to them what the sign means in a simple term. An enforcement banning sex offenders from areas where young children fill is a rational step to protect our youth.
We commend our Mayor for taking such actions along with Danbury Police Chief Alan Baker. If it benefits the life of a child, a mother, a father, or a friend it will also benefit the safety in Danbury's Community.