Hamlin hosting info meeting
on recently placed sex offender

Because the town of Hamlin became home to a Level 3 sex offender the week of January 23, Town Supervisor Dennis Roach announced plans for an information meeting for residents.

"We appreciate the concerns of the neighbors and the residents when you receive notification of this nature," Roach said. "This is the first time our town has had to deal with this type of situation and the news has heightened the levels of anxiety and concern of the residents."

At the meeting, experts and authorities will be on hand to present information and to address concerns raised by the residents. Roach said the residents will receive information on the background of the sex offender registry program, the zone seat captain from the sheriff's department as well as an investigative officer from the department; parole officers for the offender; representatives from the Missing and Exploited Children Agency; and NYS Senator George Maziarz, who is sponsoring legislative initiatives to strengthen the laws regarding sexual offenders.

"We're hoping to hear some recommended methods of providing for the safety and welfare of the families and children who live in Hamlin," Roach said.

The individual's release into the area was approved because he has family and Roach said it's possible the parole officers felt it was a good placement because of the required monitoring he must undergo.

"We certainly want to make sure the laws of the town and county are followed as well as having the rights of the offender must be upheld," Roach said. "Obviously, if we had a choice, we would choose not to have had this happen but at least his release will be very strictly monitored and it's very restrictive release for the offender. The only bright spot is knowing he will be strictly monitored."

The meeting will be February 8 at 7 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, 1107 Lake Road, West Fork, in the gymnasium.

February 5, 2006