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Unanimous Approval For Youth League Background Checks
By Keith Hagarty
Calling it yet another measure to ensure the safety of the children, the township council unanimously approved a new ordinance on Tuesday calling for criminal background checks for adults involved in Jackson's youth sports programs.
While leagues previously conducted background checks
voluntarily - and most leagues,
in fact, did conduct such tests - criminal background checks are now required for anyone involved with children in a youth recreation program, such as any person involved in coaching, umpiring, managing, or serving in any supervisory capacity for participants in the program.
The ordinance further states that any prospective or current employees would be required to submit their name, date of birth, address, fingerprints, written consent and any other required information. Failure to comply with the requirements would result in a disqualification of the individual from the program.
The council should be applauded for bringing the issue to the residents' attention, said Gary Black, of Lewis Lane.
"We need this ordinance," said Black, who has been an outspoken advocate in the community for tougher restrictions against sex offenders.
The parents of Jackson need to know their kids are protected, said Dan Gross, of Pointe Circle.
"I think it's a great idea," Gross said of the ordinance.
One of the only questions Gross had for the council about the background checks was what happens if there are debatable infractions that occurred long ago in the individual's past.
While convictions would exclude that individual from participating in the youth program in question, Martin said there is a process in place to account for a questioned find in the results
"There is a process in place that if they're found guilty, they can appeal it," said Councilman Scott Martin, who along with Councilwoman Ann Updegrave spearheaded the effort to get the ordinance developed and approved.
One of the more notable aspects in the overall result process of the checks includes the use of an outside agency to conduct the background checks. Switching to an outside agency instead of using the services of the Jackson police department is a way to expedite the process, according to Martin.
"It can take up to three months to get them (the results) back," Martin said of having the police run the background checks. However, by using an outside firm, the township should be able to get the results back within seven to 10 days.
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