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COMMUNITY
NOTIFICATION
SEX OFFENDER WATCH
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Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA)
The Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA) was passed in 1996. This
piece of legislation was added into the Corrections Law of New York
State and covers those offenders who have been convicted of certain
crimes (sex offenses). SORA requires Registered Sex Offenders to
keep local law enforcement agencies and the Division of Criminal
Justice Services informed of their current address and provides
penalties for the failure to do so. SORA also allows local Police
Departments to notify the community about some of these offenders.
**NOTICE TO PARENTS**
It is important to remember that many sex crimes (especially crimes
against children) go unreported. Of the cases that are reported,
many cannot be prosecuted for a variety of reasons. Although SORA is
a powerful tool for making communities safer, it only provides
information on a small population of all potential sex offenders
living in the community.
Do not infer a false sense of security from the limited information
contained in any notifications about sex offenders living in your
community.
If you are a parent, you should always know, and feel comfortable
with, any person who has unsupervised access to your child. Never
assume that because someone you know is not on a list of known sex
offenders that there is nothing to worry about.
Frequently Asked
Questions
Trust - your – Instincts!
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