As a member of the New York State Association of Realtors I have been involved in supporting and opposing legislation that is important to our industry and private property owner's rights in NYS. We have just been able to have a bill pass both the Senate and the Assembly that stops sex offenders from getting licensed in the State of New York. May be you as a Realtor want to see this happen in your state?
I for one, when the idea first came up to restrict only certain offenders, in the higher felony classification, got my back up. You see I am a retired Detective Lieutenant and I started the Sex Crimes Bureau in my county, Westchester, New York back in 1974. I had been involved in changing the Felony Rape laws back then and started the new investigative division because my boss, Sheriff Tom Delaney, believed that it was necessary. To make a long story short, I was so immersed in my profession that I saw the "regression" that occurs with these type of prepetrators. They don't start out as rapists. But they do start and many times our judicial system because of many variables will plea down an offense so that it is really difficult to say where the perpetrator should be classified. After many legislative committee meetings, and my passion about this topic, I was able to have everyone on the same page regarding that the bill be all inclusive of all sex offenders.
I realize as I am sure you do also, there are some unusual circumstances that sometimes do occur. I can honestly say that there were times we eliminated an individual as a suspect, because he didn't fit the profile or something was wrong. I won't say that there are some individuals that can be incorrectly marked as a sex offender but there is a remedy for this within the judicial system. (Another topic).
I do believe that we have done a good thing here in New York by stopping the license ability for an individual to become a Real Estate Agent. Maybe you should consider doing the same in your state.
Safety isn't just about us the agents, it is also about our clients and their properties.
Comments(3)