Massapequa Park Mayor James Altadonna is proposing a village law banning sex offenders from living within a 1 and one-half mile zone around all schools and parks.

Altadonna admits the zone would encompass nearly the entire village. ?I have no tolerance for people who prey on children,? Altadonna says. ?And I don't think our residents should either.?

Civil rights activists say while the ban may be good for Massapequa Park, it will just send sex offenders to other areas. Similarly, Laura Ahearn, of Parents for Megan?s Law, says such a ban would invite lawsuits and undermine current laws.

Despite the criticism, Altadonna says something needs to be done and he hopes the proposed legislation sends a message to Albany that sex offender laws need to be strengthened. The village plans to hold public hearings on the proposed law in the next 30 days.

Click for Web sites that let you search for sex offenders in your neighborhood

Parent'sfor Megan's Law FamilyWatchdogMapSexOffenders.comU.S. Dept. of Justice: The Dru SjodinNational Sex Offender Public Website