ACLU raps Southbridge sex-offender plan; Residency limits would be established under proposal.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

Byline: Brian Lee

SOUTHBRIDGE - The town's proposal to restrict Level 2 and 3 sex offenders from living within 500 feet of schools and day care centers has been criticized by the Worcester County Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts.

After reading about the proposal in Friday's Telegram & Gazette, Ronal C. Madnick, director of the chapter, sent a letter to Town Council Vice Chairman Dale F. Ferron, chairman of the council's Protection of Persons and Property Subcommittee.

Last week, the subcommittee voted to send the proposal to town counsel for review.

Referring to the proposal as "feel-good legislation," Mr. Madnick said yesterday residence restrictions are based on the flawed assumption most sexual abuse is committed by strangers, when they are, in fact, mostly committed by family members or acquaintances.

The initiative raises "serious constitutional questions by infringing upon well-established civil rights," Mr. Madnick said.

Uprooting sex offenders could increase the risk of sex crimes, Mr. Madnick said, theorizing that if they are forced to move and quit their jobs, it "may trigger many offenders' sexual assault cycles."

It also unfairly punishes sex offenders' families, he said, because they, too, "may be forced to relocate or leave the community."

Mr. Madnick said, "We favor legislation that protects children, but we don't think this legislation does that."

The town has five public schools, two private schools, and two day care facilities.

At the Feb. 27 Town Council subcommittee meeting, councilors unanimously authorized forwarding the proposal to the law firm of Kopelman & Paige.

Police Chief Daniel R. Charette said last week that if the lawyers feel the proposal is appropriate, the town would put it forward as a...