Neighbors concerned after sex offender moves to E. Northport

<p>Homeowners on a cul-de-sac in East Northport told News 12 that they are worried about the safety of their children after a convicted sex offender moved in next door.</p>

News 12 Staff

Aug 10, 2017, 7:46 PM

Updated 2,610 days ago

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Homeowners on a cul-de-sac in East Northport told News 12 that they are worried about the safety of their children after a convicted sex offender moved in next door.
Jonathan Blum, a registered level II sex offender, was a school teacher in the city in 2015 when he pleaded guilty to soliciting sex from an undercover officer who he had met online and believed to be a 14-year-old girl.
Blum is not breaking any laws by moving on to Surrey Lane, but neighbors say there are many underage girls that live in the community.
Laura Ahearn, the executive director of Parents for Megan's Law, says this is another example of how the state law needs to change. 
"We recently in Suffolk County have had dangerous sexual predators moving in directly across from elementary schools," she says. "We are not shocked by this. We are extremely disappointed in our 
New York state Assembly majority lawmakers because they are not passing legislation."
The state law is very limited and it only restricts an offender from 1,000 feet from a public school. 
Earlier this year, the Republican-led state Senate passed a bill to tighten restrictions on where sex offenders can live. Ahearn says the state Assembly, dominated by Democrats, has failed to act on it.  
"Those representatives say they're supportive of it, but when we ask them to carry the bill, they won't," she says. 
News 12 reached out to the Assembly's Democrats. This was their response:
Steve Englebright (District 4) is a sponsor of Bill A1651A, the Laura Ahearn bill to strengthen residency requirements for convicted sex offenders.
Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I-District 1) is a co-sponsor of Bill A1651A.
Charles D. Lavine (District 13) – "There are quite a few versions of residency restriction bills in the Assembly and I will support anyone that makes sense and protects the residents of New York state."
Christine Pellegrino (District 9) is willing to sponsor a bill to strengthen residency restriction laws for sex offenders.
Michaelle C. Solages (District 22) - "I support Megan's Law and any provisions that would mandate set residency rules including a 1,000-foot minimum school restriction for sex offenders.  I look forward to working with my Assembly colleagues to close any sex offender registry law loophole, as well as enact policies to minimize the possibility that these individuals come in contact with children."
Assemblymembers Earlene Hooper, Anthony D'Urso, Kimberly Jean-Pierre and Phil Ramos did not immediately respond.