Two aging group homes in West Seneca are empty today, after up to seven high-risk sex offenders were moved out.
The sex offenders arrived in West Seneca in December 2014 from a facility in Rochester in December 2014. The homes were previously occupied by people with development disabilities.
"We're very lucky. Senator (Patrick) Gallivan has a background in law enforcement. He's on the Corrections Committee" Assemblyman Mickey Kearns said on Sunday.
"We need to have a discussion about this. And, I'll tell you one place you can't put them is a residential neighborhood, next to a park. This was a bad decision."
Kearns said he had to file Freedom of Information Act requests and even sue the state to get information, with limited success.
The move was applauded by neighbors of the Leydecker Road homes.
"From what I understand, there were a couple assaults that were kind of swept under the rug," said neighbor Tony Fischione.
"It's to a point where some of the employees were fearful of their own safety."
State Senator Michael Ranzenhofer has been able to pass legislation that would bar sex offenders from group homes. Kearns is pushing similar legislation in the Assembly.
State officials are not releasing where the individuals now reside. That information isn't expected to become available for at least a month.
