But similar proposals in recent years have foundered, and residents said they were wary of more promises.

“We’ve had these trailers for a long time, and it’s time for the trailers to go,” said Stephanie Canali, a resident of the retirement community who was one of about 65 people to attend a town-hall-style meeting last month on the issue.

In New York State, laws prohibit sex offenders on parole or whose victims were younger than 18 from residing within 1,000 feet of schools or other child care facilities. In 2006, Suffolk passed a law extending the distance for all sex offenders to a quarter mile. Southampton later stretched that to up to a mile. New York City has no residency restrictions beyond those required by the state.

New York State’s law, like those of many states, was prompted by the 1994 killing of Megan Kanka, 7, in New Jersey by a neighbor who was a convicted sex offender.

The so-called Megan’s Laws that were passed require sex offenders to register with local authorities and made way for residency restrictions.

Opponents of the restrictions say they offer only a semblance of protection. Not all sex offenders abuse children, for one, and those who do most often know their victims well before the abuse occurs, according to numerous studies.

The rules do not restrict the movements of sex offenders. The men in the Southampton trailers, whose convictions include child rape and disseminating pornography among minors, are required to sleep there at night. In the morning they must leave and check in with parole officers and social workers, but are otherwise free to go where they please.