Residents who want to know more about how to protect their children from sexual predators can attend a public forum at the Family Partnership Center on Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. at 29 North Hamilton St. in Poughkeepsie.
The educational forum will explain how sex offenders are managed in Dutchess County. Sex offenders must register their address with the state under Megan’s Law, and residents can utilize searchable databases. All interested residents are invited to attend.
A council on sex offender management was first formed upon receipt of a grant several years ago. The group was tasked with improving the county’s plan for managing the sex offender population. The council is comprised of representatives from various offices including the offices of the district attorney, public defender, county attorney, Town of Poughkeepsie police, county sheriff, probation department and family services. An adult survivor of sexual assault, Curtis St. John, also sits on the council. St. John testified that he was molested as a child in 1979 by former Poughkeepsie teacher and confessed killer Albert Fentress. There have been eight forums since 2005 at locations around the county.
“Its really unique in that you get real wide-ranging perspectives,” said town police detective and Dutchess County legislator Robert Rolison. For more information, contact Rolison at 486-2100.