Levy vetoes plan for sex offender shelters

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy vetoed a measure Friday intended to resurrect the concept of creating mini-shelters for homeless sex offenders scattered throughout the county.

An earlier proposal to create the shelters ran into a Levy veto because only one qualified bidder responded - and said it would proceed only if the shelters' locations were kept secret until they opened. Citing concerns over secrecy, Levy vetoed the measure and the legislature failed to override the veto earlier this month.

The second measure, vetoed Friday, would allow Suffolk's Social Services Department to consider a second bidder, Haven House/Bridges, which didn't qualify initially because it turned in its application late. The housing provider does not have a secrecy requirement. However, the company is licensed only to provide family housing, and would need a waiver to build the sex-offender shelters.

The second measure's sponsor, Legis. Jay Schneiderman (I-Montauk), said he believes legislators will be able to override the veto, noting it passed with the 14 votes required to do so.

Levy opposes the shelter concept, fearing it would spur lawmakers to pass individual measures to prevent the shelters from going into their districts. He supports a housing voucher program to allow homeless sex offenders to stay in motels.