We Must Protect The Children

Sometimes legislation comes along that is just a no-brainer.
Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. has always been a tough-talking, no-nonsense elected official. He calls it as he sees it.
Now he is proposing that New York take Florida's cue and enact the Jessica Lunsford Act, which would increase prison time both for first-time sex offenders and recidivists.
And while that kind of legislation is not even close to falling under the purview of the New York City Council, we applaud an elected leader whenever they think big and we encourage the state to take a closer look at this.
Governor George Pataki needs to take a moment off from his would-be presidential campaign and start thinking about ways to lead his own state while he is still in office here. Grab the mantle and lead the charge on this issue. To be cynical, it can only help you when and if you do run for our nation's top office.
And to our state senators and assemblymembers, look into this legislation. Perhaps it's not perfect, but maybe New York can take what Florida has crafted and make it an even better piece of legislation that will safeguard children for years to come.
What is certain is that the laws of our state do not meet the task anymore in the realm of sexual predators. When a convicted felon of this heinous crime gets only seven years in prison, when the victim loses their entire childhood and must carry the burden into adulthood, we have failed.
If you recall, it was just over one year ago that a little boy was struck down by a drunk driver in Kew Gardens Hills. His name was Vasean Philip Alleyne. His killer, John Wirta, got a slap on the wrist. His mother started a movement that didn't stop until our governor signed a piece of paper strengthening New York's DWI laws. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
It is possible to get these things done.
Someone needs to lead the charge to strengthen our sexual predator penalties now.
Let's not wait for another child to lose their innocence.