THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 26, 1994 TAG: 9408260597
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: KILL DEVIL HILLS LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Mayor Terry Gray has told the Kill Devil Hills Board of Commissioners that he would like to see laws enacted that would require parolees convicted of violent crimes to notify law enforcement officials if they relocate in a municipality.
He has discussed such legislation with State Sen. Marc Basnight (D-Dare), Gray told commissioners Wednesday night.
``We have asked the senator to develop legislation which would require persons convicted of violent crimes or sexual offenses that are released on parole to notify the local law enforcement agencies when they relocate into an area,'' Gray said.
``We're trying to create some teeth in the law that would enable the Police Department and law enforcement agencies to be aware when you have a person that has committed a violent crime move into an area. Hopefully the end result will be better protection for the citizens.''
The constitutional ramifications of such a bill have been considered, Gray said.
``You definitely want to make sure no constitutional rights have been violated. That's certainly a concern. I think all of the consequences should be considered and taken into view when considering something like this.''
Basnight, president pro tem of the North Carolina Senate, said that he has received a letter and had talked with Gray about his request, and said that he expects to have further discussions concerning a possible bill.
``I have urged Mayor Gray to get in contact with the North Carolina League of Municipalities and other mayors in the area and get them behind this,'' Basnight said. ``I think it's a worthy, worthy effort.''
Late in the last session of the North Carolina General Assembly, the Senate passed a bill requiring a resident with a reportable sexual offense conviction to register with the sheriff in the county where the individual lives or plans to live for more than 10 days.
Those offenses include rape, sexual offense, sexual exploitation, and taking indecent liberties.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Linda Gunter (D-Wake) made failure to register a Class 3 misdemeanor on first offense and a Class I felony for subsequent violations. The bill failed to win approval in the House.
In other action Wednesday, the board approved by a 3-1 vote the appointment of a school resource officer for First Flight Middle and Elementary schools. Under the pilot program, designed to provide positive law enforcement role models for students, the municipality will pay for the first year, while the Dare County Board of Education will pay five-sixths of the cost in subsequent years.
Commissioners Lurana Cowan and Duncan Wright voted with Gray in favor of the measure. E.M. ``Coy'' Harbeson voted against it. The program will be similar to one at Manteo High School.
Also, it was announced that Kill Devil Hills has been chosen as the site for the 1995 United States Lifesaving Association South Atlantic Regional Championships. The event, slated for next July, will attract about 1,000 participants to the area, according to Bob Gabriel, president of Lifeguard Beach Services. His company provides lifeguard protection for Kill Devil Hills and other area beaches.
The board also unanimously denied a request by Tab Downare, owner of Ocean Water Sports, to open a parasailing operation on the beach, citing a policy against further commercialization.
The commission also unanimously rejected a North Carolina Department of Transportation request for a takeover of Bay Drive. by CNB