Sex offender rehab house idea draws Lynn council president’s fire

LYNN – The City Council’s Ordinance Committee today is expected to discuss a proposal to establish a halfway house in Lynn to assist in the rehabilitation of Level III sex offenders.The plan has already incited damning criticism from City Council President Timothy Phelan, who wrote a letter to Councilor Darren Cyr, chairman of the Ordinance Committee.According to Phelan, Level III sex offenders are deemed “substantially likely to offend again” and represent a threat to the safety of the children and residents of Lynn. A halfway house for sex offenders would also decrease property values, he said.As a result, Phelan has vowed to take action against the plan. He has submitted three draft ordinances to the Ordinance Committee and requested that these documents be put on the agenda as well as set down for public hearings.The measures would define Level III sex offenders and place restrictions on where they can live in the city, based on proximity to schools, day care centers, parks and playgrounds.The drafts also address with penalties the failure of any sex offender to register when entering the city, first with a non-criminal fine of $300. A subsequent offense for failing to register would bring about the fine and notification to the person’s parole or probation officer as well as to the state’s Sex Offender Registry Board.”I find this possibility reprehensible and outrageous,” Phelan said.