The Department of Correction has stopped placing sex offenders at a group home on Clinton Street in Manchester after residents began to fight back out of concern for the safety of their children and families.
According to DOC spokesperson Karen Martucci, DOC Interim Commissioner Scott Semple sent a letter to Manchester town officials explaining that no additional offenders will take up residence there.
Manchester Mayor Jay Moran said the DOC promised to keep a close eye on sex offenders currently living at the group home to help maintain neighborhood safety.
It comes after more than 100 Manchester residents spoke up at a meeting with the DOC commissioner earlier this month and implored him to take action, arguing that the home is too close to schools, bus stops and public parks.
DOC officials and Manchester town leaders are planning future meetings but haven't set dates yet. Moran said he's pleased the DOC commissioner has opened the lines of communication.
He considers the development a "step in the right direction" but said he ultimately wants to see the group home shut down and the sex offenders moved out of the neighborhood.
Neighbors and Manchester officials said they weren't alerted when sex offenders began moving into the group home over the summer, but there is no law that requires the DOC to inform them.
