Sexual Offenders Move into the Community: 66th Precinct Explains Safety Measures for Students

Recently, parents in the vicinity of 8th Avenue in Brooklyn with zip codes 11219 and 11220 have been receiving school notifications informing them of sex offenders moving into the community. In the 11219 area, there are 18 registered sex offenders, while in the 11220 area, there are 25. Many parents were previously unaware of this information and are feeling shocked and concerned about the sudden revelation. With over 43,000 public school students in District 20, this news has sparked widespread discussions.

To address parental concerns, Council Member Cheng Wen-yi and Captain Lauren Wang from the 66th Precinct held a seminar on March 18 at the Red Apple Social Service Center, providing practical advice to parents to help protect their children’s safety and address community security risks.

Stephen Stowe, Chairman of the CEC20 Community Education Council, stated that parents’ main concerns are twofold: the lack of notification – many parents question why they had never received similar notifications in the past, and how to protect their children.

Currently, it is unclear why this notification was issued at this time. Some speculate it may be related to changes in school management, but officials have not provided a clear explanation. According to the law, information about sex offenders is public record, and parents can inquire about relevant information such as the offenders’ names, addresses, and criminal behaviors through the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services website (https://tinyurl.com/2j2tx4pn) or by calling 800-262-3257.

Captain Wang reminded parents that children’s safety relies on open and frequent communication and offered the following safety tips: teach children to recognize strangers, avoid talking to or accepting gifts from strangers, and never approach a stranger’s vehicle alone.

Additionally, familiarize children with safe places in the community, such as trusted neighbors’ homes or stores. If a child feels they are being followed or in danger, they should quickly seek help in a store or ask an adult to call the police. It is recommended that students travel in groups to enhance safety.

Encourage children to trust their instincts: if they feel uncomfortable around someone or in a certain environment, encourage them to move away and inform their parents. Ensure children know their full name, parents’ names, home address, and family phone number, and teach them how to dial 911 in emergencies.

Furthermore, with increasing online risks, parents should closely monitor their children’s online activities, understand who they are communicating with, teach them to avoid chatting with strangers or sharing personal information, and encourage them to report suspicious situations to parents or authorities promptly. The police also encourage parents to actively participate in community safety efforts, stay in touch with schools and law enforcement agencies to promptly receive safety information and response measures.

Some parents shared personal experiences, stating that warning their children to avoid contact with strangers led to excessive fear, making them hesitant to help people asking for directions or assistance. There is a concern that this attitude may affect social trust and mutual assistance. Cheng Wen-yi believes that a balance should be struck between safety and community engagement through daily conversations and practices with children to cultivate a healthy level of vigilance.

Some parents are concerned about helping their children identify inappropriate behavior from familiar individuals, as many perpetrators in sexual assault cases are known to the victims. Cheng Wen-yi stressed that this is a sensitive but essential issue and should encourage children to express concerns and emphasize the protection of their rights. In cases of domestic violence or sexual assault, one should seek assistance from relevant institutions courageously.

Council Member Cheng Wen-yi expressed her desire as a parent to raise awareness of safety in the community. The release of this notification has both positive impacts and potential to raise more worries. Therefore, she has initiated an anonymous survey to inquire whether parents have ever received notifications about sex offenders moving into the school district, the frequency of notifications, and their opinions on them, aiming to formulate more appropriate regulations based on parental feedback.

The results of this survey will serve as a reference for improving safety policies and notification mechanisms in the future. Those interested in this matter can visit her district office (6514 Bensonhurst Avenue) to fill out the survey form.