WIDENING THE NET (Stony Brook-based initiative to alert and track updates of registered sex offenders nationwide to receive federal grant to be announced today)

Federal funding for a Long Island-based computer mapping and e-mail alert system will provide people nationwide with updates when a registered sex offender moves into their neighborhood, a New York congressional delegation is set to announce today.  Parents for Megan's Law, the Stony Brook-based nonprofit advocacy group, will get a $593,000 grant to build an e-mail alert system that allows users to receive alerts when a sex offender moves into a specific zip code.  The federal money will also be used to expand the National Megan's law Helpline, which is staffed by Ahearn's nonprofit and supports communities receiving notifications by educating them about responsible used of information and sexual assault prevention.  Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Reps. Peter King (R-Seaford), Tim Bishop (D-Southampton) and Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola) are expected to appear at a news conference today in Stony Brook to formally announce the grant.

(New York)