BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- Parents are relieved after two sex offenders are moved from a group home in North Buffalo.
“I’m thrilled that they’re out of our neighborhood,” said Andy Bus, who lives down the road from the home.
The state transferred James Loder and Russell Bennethum to 76 Rosemary Ave. in June after they were removed from a group home in West Seneca.
“When I heard they were moved in, I was nervous,” said Bus. “I have a five year old son, he likes to play in the front yard and I don’t want to have predators living in my neighborhood.”
On Tuesday, many neighbors received a letter from Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes that said the two men have been officially removed from North Buffalo.
The letter said, “One individual was sent south of Rochester, NY and the other chose to leave supervised care altogether, against the recommendation of Community Services for the Developmentally Disabled.”
News 4 reached out to Community Services for a statement, we are waiting for a response.
The state sex offender registry shows Loder has been relocated to Mt. Morris, which is south of Rochester.
We asked the state why the men were moved and how the new location was selected.
The Office for Persons with Developmental Disabilities told News 4, “Due to strict confidentiality laws that our agency must adhere to, we can’t provide comment about the specifics of any individual’s services. OPWDD provides supports for people with developmental disabilities in the most appropriate environment based upon their needs, we do not deny appropriate and needed services to people with a developmental disability due to their past history.”
Bus said he had concerns about the fact the sex offenders were being housed with other people that have developmental disabilities. He also told News 4 he thinks the neighborhood should’ve been notified before the men were relocated.
“I think the system needs to be improved to a sense where they can’t just take these people that were indicted for sexual abuse and just put them in a facility that’s not meant for them,” said Bus.
Keith Page, who lives across the street from the home, said he’s relieved they don’t have to deal with it anymore.
“They were watched, or they were supposed to be, but one or two evenings the one gentleman was out there alone sitting on the sidewalk in a chair,” he said. “I decided I would come out and pull up my chair and sit in my driveway just to keep watch.”
Page told us now people can get back to normal.
“Keep their doors open and don’t have to be watching over their shoulders,” said Page.
The OPWDD said registered sex offenders account for a very small percentage of those they serve and the majority of people they serve are voluntarily in the state’s care.
