Media Alert - You’ve Got Mail: There’s a Sex Offender in the Neighborhood

MEDIA ALERT*MEDIA ALERT*MEDIA ALERT*MEDIA ALERT*MEDIA ALERT*MEDIA ALERT*MEDIA ALERT*MEDIA ALERT 

Contact:   Judy Close, Press Secretary   (718) 738-1111                       

You’ve Got Mail: There’s a Sex Offender in the Neighborhood

Senator Klein, Senator Addabbo, Assemblyman Lancman, Assemblywoman Nolan, Assemblyman-elect Miller and Councilmember Crowley Unveil TOP TEN List of Zip Codes with Highest Number of Level 2 & 3 Sex Offenders;

Announce New Bill Signed by Governor Paterson Allowing Parents to Get Instant E-mail Alerts when a Sex Offender Moves into their Zip Codes.            

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 QUEENS, NY, October 23, 2009 -- Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester), Senator Joseph Addabbo (D-15th District, Queens), Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-25th District, Queens), Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan (D-37th District, Queens), Assemblyman-elect Michael Miller (D-38th District, Queens), NYC Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-30th District, Queens), school representatives and parents from Ridgewood's I.S. 93 and P.S. 88, will unveil a TOP TEN list of zip codes in Queens with the highest number of sex offenders and announce legislation signed into law that will create a statewide e-mail notification system, allowing concerned parents to get an alert every time a sex offender moves into their zip codes.  

Senator Addabbo noted the importance of the new legislation, "Community notification via email offers parents vital information that they can use to protect their children from becoming victims of these predators, many of whom are repeat offenders. Using the statewide emergency communication system, NY Alert, which is managed by the Department of Homeland Security, it will be easy for New Yorkers to register for instant e-mail notifications. They won't have to spend time scanning NY State's Sex Offender Registry, available to the public at local police stations, or calling a toll-free number, or viewing an Internet subdirectory at the Department of Criminal Justice Services' Web site.  Over 11,420 level 2 & 3 sex offenders (moderate- & high-risk for re-offending) are now on the registry. Email updates will allow parents and school officials to keep tabs on their own neighborhoods or where children attend school."

WHO:         Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester), Senator Joseph Addabbo(D-15th District, Queens), Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-25th District, Queens), Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan (D-37th District, Queens), Assemblyman-elect Mike Miller (D-38th District, Queens), NYC Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-30th District, Queens) school representatives and parents from Ridgewood's P.S. 88 and I.S. 93. 

WHAT:       Klein, Addabbo, Lancman, Nolan, Miller and Crowley unveil map with 2009 data for all registered level 2 and 3 sex offenders living in Queens County, broken down by zip code and level of offense. Lawmakers announce new legislation signed into law that would provide instant email alerts to residents when a sex offender moves into their neighborhoods. 

WHEN:      Monday, October 26, 10AM

WHERE:   Bennington Park (Madison Street between Fresh Pond Road and 60th Place)  Ridgewood, NY 11385