01/24/2006

BRIDGEVILLE- There is controversy over efforts to protect children from sexual predators in Bridgeville.

Town officials are considering a ban on allowing registered sex offenders from living within a half mile from schools, daycares or parks. People that spoke with WBOC say they support such a move.

"Children are innocent and they don't know how to protect themselves and these type of people take advantage of them," said Ronald Celozzi, who supports the proposed law. 

But the American Civil Liberties Union in Delaware said the bill would not be fair.

"We have a legal system here in this country that punishes people suitably and tries to return them to their communities and they have to have a community to return," said Drewry Fennell of the Delaware ACLU.  

Sex offenders already in banned areas of Bridgeville would not have to move. The Bridgeville Town Council votes on the ban next month.