DOZENS OF SEX OFFENDERS IN SUFFOLK GAVE WRONG ADDRESSES
Newsday/Laura Figueroa
3/13/14
Dozens of registered sex offenders living in Suffolk County provided inaccurateaddresses in the year since county lawmakers passed a law to intensify monitoring of the ex-convictand more than 140 others were found to have violated rules required them to update their photos ona state registry. Laura Ahearn, executive director of Parents for Megan's Law, contracted bythe county last year to monitor more than 900 registered sex offenders, told lawmakers Thursdaythat the increased scrutiny has led to an increase in arrests for violating state reportingrequirements. It's not necessarily about arrests and convictions. It’s aboutensuring that this registry is what it’s supposed to be, Ahearn said. It's supposedto be a tool for the community to use to protect themselves and their children. Parents forMegan's Law has hired seven investigators, all retired law enforcement officers, who verify homeand work addresses. The investigators also monitor social media to determine if registeredoffenders have set up unauthorized accounts. Under state law, offenders must register emailaddresses and any social media accounts. Ahearn said to date the group has forwarded 182 tipsto Suffolk police for offenders who were in possible violation of Internet regulations.
(New York)
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