Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Registered Sex Offender in the neighborhood

    Posted 10-20-2021 03:00 PM
    HI all,
    We have received notification that a registered sex offender has moved into the neighborhood. I have verified this notification with our local Police Department but I am wondering if anyone has a protocol for handling this information. Should staff and families be notified?

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    Anne Rothe
    Director
    Key Biscayne Presbyterian School
    Key Biscayne FL
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  • 2.  RE: Registered Sex Offender in the neighborhood

    Posted 10-21-2021 03:38 PM
    I am on a college campus with its own police department, so my situation is a little different, but I can share my philosophy and approach.  The threat level is determined at sentencing, so it it's not a great gauge of actual threat. If someone isn't an active threat, I notify my professional (fulltime) teachers just so if anyone asks, they can say, "Yes, I am aware." If the person could actually be a threat to the children enrolled, I share their photo and name will all staff. I also give them directions based on the offender's legal restrictions. For instance, I will say, "If you see this person within 500 feet - basically if you can see and recognize them they're within 500 feet - then bring the children in and call 911. Or come get me. Or whatever I want them to do."
    I think it's important to educate concerned folks that focusing too heavily on registered sex offenders can actually put children at increased risk of assault and abuse. Statistically, they are far more likely to be harmed by someone whom they know, someone who may even have a relationship with their parents. They most likely victim is someone with less power - a child of color, a poor child, and as they approach puberty, a transgender child. It's about access to a vulnerable child and power. 
    I've already said more than you've asked for - I have thought about this and researched this quite a bit!

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    Casey Lalonde
    Director
    The Evergreen State College
    Olympia WA
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