Message From The Chief	The History of Megan's Law
Community Organizations & Schools	Information For Residents & Citizens
A Message From The Chief
Prompted by the tragic murders of Megan Kanka and Amanda Wengert, citizens of this state demanded a law that would let them know when a convicted sex offender is living in their neighborhood.  The Governor and State Legislature responded by approving a series of laws collectively known as "Megan's Law."     Megan's Law  created a registration and notification procedure to alert law enforcement, schools, community organizations and neighbors to the presence of a sex offender who authorities believe may pose a risk to the community. This information is designed to enhance public safety and awareness.  However, no law can guarantee the protection of our children.  There is no substitute for common sense precautions, such as teaching our children who to trust and knowing where they are at all times.      We are partners in making this law work.  We have an obligation to act responsibly with the information we receive.  No one has the right to take the law into his or her own hands by threatening or harming a sex offender.  Vigilant acts will be investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.      I know this is a very sensitive with many of you and hope that the information contained herein helps to clarify some of your concerns.  In addition to the enclosed information, the Stratford Police has 3 Detectives assigned as it's Megan's Law coordinators.  If you would like additional information or for us to visit you and your group feel free to contact me and I will make arrangements to accommodate you.  Thank you for your interest in this subject.
The History of Megan's Law
The parents of 7 -year old Megan Kanka of Hamilton Township, New Jersey did not know that a twice-convicted sex offender was living across the street until that neighbor was charged with the brutal rape and murder of their daughter.     The crime, occurring only months after a similarr incident in Monmouth County, prompted passage of state laws requiring notifications about sex offenders who may pose a risk to the community.     New Jersey's law commonly know as "Megan's Law," requires convicted sex offenders to register with their local police.  Megan's Law also establishes a three-tier notification process to provide information about offenders to law enforcement agencies and, when appropriate, to the public.  The type of notification is based on an evaluation of the risk to the community form a particular offender.  The Attorney General's Office, in constitution with a special 12 - member council, has provided county prosecutors, who must make that evaluation, with the factors ti be used in determining the level of risk posed by the offender.     It is believed that equipped with the descriptions and whereabouts of high risk sex offenders, communities will be better able to protect their children.
Information for Community Organizations & Schools
Commonly asked questions about Megan's law     Q- Will my organization always be notified of the release of a sex offender into my community?     A- Under the law, sex offenders who reside in the community are classified by prosecutors in one of the three "tiers" based on the degree of risk they pose to the public: high {tier 3}, moderate {tier 2}, or low {tier 1}.  Registered community organizations that care for children, women or other vulnerable groups, schools, day care centers and summer camps are notified of moderate and high risk offenders they are likely to encounter because of the possibility that pedophiles and sexual predators will be drawn to these places.  Staff members at these facilities who deal directly with children or victims are provided with information about the sex offender.  Neighbors are notified only of high-risk offenders.  Law enforcement agencies are notified of the presence of all convicted sex offenders.     Q- Which community organizations should register?     A- Only those groups, organizations and agencies that own or operate an establishment where children gather under their care or where women or other vulnerable groups are cared for should register.  The prosecutor's office shall reject organizations that do not meet these requirements.  All private and public educational institutions, including licensed day care centers and summer camps, likely to encounter a particular offender automatically receive that information and are required to register.       Q- Where does my group or organization register in order to receive this information?       A- Groups and organizations must register with their local law enforcement agency (Stratford Police Department), or, if the community has no local agency, you should register with the State Police having jurisdiction in that community.  The law enforcement agency must keep a list of community groups and organizations and will use that list when notification are necessary.  The list is also forwarded to the county prosecutor's office.     Q- Which community organizations are notified of released sex offenders?     A- Schools are registered organizations that are likely to encounter an offender will receive this information - based on the determined scope of notification.     Q- What information is included in a notification?     A- In all three levels of notification, the information provided includes the offenders name, description and photograph, address, place of employment or school, a description of the offenders vehicle and license plate, and a brief description of the offense.     Q- What should my organization do when it receives this information?     A- Organizations and schools should take the appropriate steps to educate and alert staff members who are charged with care and supervision of children or victims.  Notification is provided to these organizations and schools because of the possibility that pedophiles and sexual predators will be drawn to these locations.  Staff members should be provided with the information contained in the notification.  Guidance in providing this information to staff members can be obtained from your local law enforcement agency or the county prosecutor's office.     Q- Are we to treat this information in a confidential manner?     A- Yes.  This information is intended for staff members who directly care for or supervise children or victims.  The organization is not to provide notification to the community at large.     Q- As a member of an organization notified of the presence of a sex offender, what am I prohibited from doing?     A- Any actions taken against the individual named in the notification, including but not limited to vandalism of property, verbal or written threats of harm, or physical violence against this person, his or her family or employer, will result in the arrest or prosecution for criminal acts.  Vigilantism is not only a crime, it is an action that will undermine the efforts of those who have worked hard to enact this law.     Q- After initial registration, does my organization have any other responsibilities?     A- No, however, your organization should inform your local law enforcement agency if there is any change in the basic information it provided when the organization registered.     Q- Does my organization have to participate in the notification process?     A- Unless you are an educational institution, licensed day care center or summer camp, you will not receive information about sex offenders unless you register with the police.  You are no legal obligation to register.  However, all community groups eligible to be notified are encouraged to participate in the process.
Information For Residents & Citizens
Commonly asked questions by Citizens     Q- What is the purpose of Megan's Law?     A- Megan's Law is designed to help protect our community by providing information about convicted sex offenders to law enforcement agencies and, in case of moderate and high-risk offenders, community organizations, and the public.  The notification will allow communities to take informed and responsible steps to prevent harm.     Q- Are all se offenders required to register with local police?     A- Sex offenders, who have been released from custody since Megan's Law went into effect on October 31, 1994, are required to register with the police.  In addition, offenders who were on parole or probation on the effective date of the law, as well as offenders who have been found to be repetitive and compulsive by experts and the courts ~ regardless of the date sentence ~ are required to register.  Some registrants must verify their address annually; others must verify their address every 90 days.     Q- What types of offenses require registration?     A- The offenses include aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, endangering the welfare of  of a child by engaging in sexual that would impair or debauch the morals of the child, luring or enticing the child and. if the victim was a minor and the offender not a parent, kidnapping, criminal restraint and false imprisonment.     Q- What factors are considered in determining the risk of re-offense?     A- Megan's Law and it's guidelines list numerous factors to be considered in weighing the risk of re-offense, including post-incarceration supervision, the status of therapy or counseling , criminal background, degree of remorse for criminal acts, substance abuse, employment or schooling status, psychiatric profile, and history of threats or of stalking locations where children congregate.     Q- What information is provided in a notification?     A- In all three levels of notification, the information provided includes the offenders name, description and photograph, address, place of employment or school, a description of the offenders vehicle and license plate, and a brief description of the offense.     Q- How will be informed?     A-  You will receive personal notification of the location of all Tier 3 {High- Risk} offenders in your neighborhood that you are likely to encounter.  A law enforcement official, such as a police officer, state trooper, or investigator from your county prosecutor's office, will come to your door and provide you with the pertinent information about offenders in your neighborhood.     Q- What should I do if I receive a notification?     A- Reinforce general precautions about staying away from strangers and ask your children to tell you or their caretakers where they will be at all times.  Use the information responsibly.  Talk to your children.  Tell them to treat the sex offender as a stranger.  Tell them where the sex offender lives, what he or she looks like and what to do if they encounter or are approached by that person.  If you believe that a crime is being committed by a sex offender contact the Stratford Police Department immediately as you would do in any case of suspected criminal activity.     Q- Are there any other steps I can take to protect my family?     A- Yes, there is no law that can ever completely protect us.  Adults need to teach children about basic safety precautions.  Check with your child's school to determine whether a program is in place to teach children about strangers.  Also, check with the school and other locations where your child spends time on a regular basis to determine whether safety precautions are in place.     Q- What am I prohibited from doing?     A- The prosecutor and the courts are responsible to determine who should receive notice about the presence of a particular individual in the community.  You should not take it upon yourself to provide any information you receive to others in the community; that is the job of the prosecutor and the Stratford Police Department.  Any actions taken against the individual named in the notification, including but not limited to vandalism of property, verbal or written threats of harm, or physical violence against this person, his or her family or employer, will result in the arrest or prosecution for criminal acts.  Vigilantism is not only a crime, it is an action that will undermine the efforts of those who have worked hard to enact this law.     Q- Will I always be notified of the release of a sex offender into my neighborhood?     A- Under the law, sex offenders who reside in the community are classified by prosecutors in one of the three "tiers" based on the degree of risk they pose to the public: high {tier 3}, moderate {tier 2}, or low {tier 1}.  Registered community organizations that care for children, women or other vulnerable groups, schools, day care centers and summer camps are notified of moderate and high risk offenders they are likely to encounter because of the possibility that pedophiles and sexual predators will be drawn to these places.  Staff members at these facilities who deal directly with children or victims are provided with information about the sex offender.  Neighbors are notified only of high-risk offenders.  Law enforcement agencies are notified of the presence of all convicted sex offenders.