I feel that the city of Westbrook made a huge mistake enacting their sex offender ordinance. The citizens quoted in this newspaper on Sept. 20 seem to have pushed it forward as a revenge law.

Did anyone pay attention to what Human Rights Watch has said about these types of ordinances? Did the city consult anyone who works with sex offenders?

Two people quoted talk about their experiences with sex abuse, one whose daughter was a victim and the other who was a victim herself. The offenders were described as a “family member” and as “person known.” I would ask these two women, how does this ordinance stop that scenario from happening? It doesn’t!

The whole thing smacks of an unconstitutional hate law, pushed by payback-minded citizens and enacted by right-wing zealots who run the city. Simply put, Westbrook blew it.

Hopefully the citywide elections in November will result in a more moderate, thoughtful, reasonable and logical group of leaders who will do the right thing and repeal it.

Michael Johnson

Maine Correctional Center

Windham