Flyers to reveal county’s known sex offenders
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The program is free and will be held at the Warren County Middle School auditorium on Tuesday, May 24 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. According to organizers, the program will provide essential handouts.
The sex offender flyers prepared by the sheriff’s department will list names, addresses, photos and information on people residing in Warren County who are currently on the sexual offender registry. There will also be a list of confidential numbers to call if one suspects incidents of sexual molestation, or needs counseling services.
Sheriff Jackie Matheny said his department is glad to provide this information.
“The TBI has a list of predators that’s on their Web site,” Matheny said. “And that is, of course, public information. I think the thing that was discussed is that a lot of people don’t have computers, or wouldn’t know where to go, and since this is a program to try to make people aware of what’s going on in our community, we certainly want to try to get that information out.
“It’s public record. Some people may be upset, but the list is on the Internet anyway and we’re just trying to get the information out there,” Matheny continued. “We’re all worried about the welfare of our children and this is just a way we can help. It’s part of our job.”
Though the seminar deals with abduction issues, Commissioner Bill Zechman made it clear it will deal with other problems as well.
“It also deals with the issue of ongoing molestation,” Zechman said. “There are cases where family members know or suspect it’s going on, but they don’t know where to turn. And they’re afraid if they go to the authorities their name is going to be automatically revealed, and that is not the case. If people have concerns, they can go to any of these resources that we’re going to offer and talk confidentially.”
Zechman emphasized the authorities will question the callers and require at least some sort of evidence and as much information as possible in order to avoid nuisance calls, but that confidentiality will be respected.
According to Zechman, government statistics show that one in five girls and one in ten boys will be sexually exploited before reaching adulthood. Even worse is the fact that experts feel, because of the stigma, around 65 percent of such crimes go unreported. Zechman says the sexual exploitation of children is a national problem of epidemic proportions, which is the impetus for providing the handouts at the Signs of the Crimes program.
“We’re taking, I think, a dramatic step in printing up a directory of the Hall of Shame if you wish,” Zechman said, “a directory of local registered sex offenders.”
Zechman emphasized that organizers want to invite Warren County’s Hispanic community to the program and that translation services will be provided at the event.
“After the program is over,” Zechman said, “we’re going to ask the interpreters to give an overview of what’s going on.”
Once again, Zechman said this is one of the most important events for parents and caregivers to attend.
“We want to make Warren County the last place on earth a sexual predator wants to come to,” Zechman said. “And information is our best weapon.”