NYS Instant E-mail Alert System launches ~ Notifiying New Yorkers when a sex offender moves into their zip code
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NYS Instant E-mail Alert System
NEW YORK- State Senator and Deputy Majority Leader Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/ Westchester) announced the launch of a new alert system Monday that provides instant email notification to New York State residents when a sex offender moves into their zip code. Individuals can register for the alerts through the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services website.
Klein and Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Queens) fought for the technological tool and sponsored legislation, signed into law by Governor Paterson last fall, making information regarding the location of registered sex offenders more accessible and convenient for millions of New Yorkers.
“New Yorkers deserve to have the convenience and peace of mind that these email alerts bring. These emails are another valuable safety tool in helping to protect our children from the kind of unsavory individuals who are, in many cases, our neighbors,” said Senator Klein.
Currently there are nearly four thousand level 2 and 3 registered sex offenders listed on the NYS Sex Offender Registry living across Bronx, New York, Queens, Kings, Richmond and Westchester Counties. The registry classifies offenders according to their risk of re-offending: low-risk (Level 1), moderate risk (Level 2) and high-risk (Level 3). Members of the public can access the Sex Offender Registry database at local police stations or via a toll-free telephone number. Level 2 and 3 offenders are also listed on an Internet subdirectory at the DCJS website.
The new notification service is free and saves individuals the time and task of searching the database. When signing up for email notification, individuals can request that instant alerts are emailed to them for multiple zip codes, for example where they live and where their children play or go to school.
“Parents can now learn in real-time when a sex offender moves into their neighborhood, and armed with this information, they can take steps necessary to protect their children,” said Assemblyman Lancman. “Ultimately, this is why we develop new technology such as emergency alert systems — to keep our families safe.”
According to the Sex Offender Registry as of March 2010 the following numbers are the total number of registered sex offenders, listed from highest to lowest, residing in the five boroughs and Westchester County: 1,962 in Kings County, 1,464 in Bronx County, 1,160 in Queens County, 1,120 in New York County, 476 in Westchester County and 269 in Richmond County.
The highest total numbers of registered sex offenders broken down by zip codes for each county are as follows: In zip code 11207 in Kings County – 198 registered sex offenders. In zip code 10035 in New York County – 169 registered sex offenders. In zip code 10456 in Bronx County – 104 registered sex offenders. In zip code 10701 in Westchester County – 64 registered sex offenders. In zip code 11434 in Queens County – 63 registered sex offenders. In zip code 10304 in Richmond County, 41 registered sex offenders.
The instant e-mail notification system is managed by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services and the State Emergency Management Office’s NY Alert. Residents can sign up through the following link:
http://www.criminaljustice.state.ny.us/nsor/nyalert.htm.