Members of the South Florida Fugitive Task Force and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office have arrested a man and charged him with lewd exhibition on a child outside Liberty Elementary in Lake Worth.
Investigators say Robert Hampton had been spotted outside the school on several occasions and flashed children as they were walking home from school.
One of the children saw Hampton's license plate as he drove away and was able to give investigators the information.
Hampton has been arrested twice before on similar charges.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
10 states act to stop teacher sex abuse
Ten states have taken action in recent months to crack down on sexually abusive teachers following a stream of arrests and reports that have documented the problem of educators victimizing students.
Governors, state education officials and lawmakers have led the push for new measures, which include tougher penalties for teachers who abuse students, punishment for administrators who fail to properly oversee their faculty, and an effort to train an entire state's corps of teachers to recognize potential abusers in their midst.
At least four more states are still considering legislation.
They are focusing on an increasingly undeniable phenomenon: While the vast majority of America's roughly 3 million public school teachers are committed professionals, a disturbing number have engaged in sexual misconduct. When faced with evidence of abuse, administrators sometimes fail to let others know about it, and legal loopholes let some offenders stay in the classroom.
"Too often in the past, we as adults have failed our children," Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear said when he signed a new law last month. "Today with this legislation, hopefully, we begin earning back their trust." The measure passed without a single no vote.
Kentucky lawmakers originally drafted a measure aimed at abusive teachers, with the final legislation written broadly to encompass priests, teachers and anyone in authority over someone younger than 18. Besides increasing penalties for abusers and giving prosecutors more time to bring charges, the Kentucky law also takes aim at officials who don't report abuse to authorities.
A nationwide Associated Press investigation, published in October, found 2,570 educators lost their teaching credentials or were otherwise sanctioned from 2001 through 2005 following allegations of sexual misconduct. Experts who track sexual abuse say the problem is even bigger than those numbers suggest. Underreporting is common, they say, because victims often are ostracized and accusations are difficult to prove.
The AP series inspired some of the tougher measures, including Utah's legislation to permanently revoke the licenses of sexually abusive teachers and a new Maine law to share information about teachers disciplined for any reason, including sexual misconduct, with other states. A New York lawmaker cited the AP reports when he rallied support to overturn budget cuts that would have sharply reduced funds for investigators who examine abuse claims in school.
Meanwhile, stories on teacher misconduct by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and The Columbus Dispatch sparked action in Florida and Ohio.
New laws also were passed in Kansas, Minnesota and Virginia, while measures are still being considered in California, Colorado, Delaware and Massachusetts. New York and South Carolina began or expanded programs targeting the problem.
Proposals failed to win legislative approval in Indiana, Missouri, South Dakota, Washington state and West Virginia.
The various measures demonstrate the many loopholes that have allowed abusive teachers to remain in the classroom, including:
_ Backroom deals. Florida's new ethics law for teachers bars school districts from entering into confidential agreements with teachers who get in trouble. Such deals crop up around the country, allowing schools to remove a problem teacher but letting that educator quietly move on to another district or state.
_ Failing to report. Kentucky's law raised the stakes for officials who fail to report allegations of abuse, bringing 90 days in jail for a first offense and up to five years in prison for repeat violations.
_ Problem teachers returning to the classroom. Colorado would require any teacher who lost a license for sexual misconduct to promise never to teach again. The measure awaits Gov. Bill Ritter's signature. Virginia closed a gap that made it possible for teachers who abuse students to be hired by another school district in the time between when they are fired and when the state Education Department is notified.
In New York state, Senate Education Committee Chairman Stephen Saland blasted former Gov. Eliot Spitzer for seeking to cut the investigative unit's $1 million budget in half, accusing Spitzer of declaring "open season on children" for sex predators in schools. He read passages from AP stories that showed the number of "moral conduct" accusations against teachers, administrators and aides had doubled in five years.
The legislature rejected the cuts and instead increased funding to $1.6 million. That will allow for hiring eight more investigators and attorneys to tackle more than 800 pending cases, most of them involving sex with students.
"This will move these people out of the classroom environment more quickly," Saland said. "It's money well spent. In fact, it's a bargain."
South Carolina looked beyond punishment, instead creating a statewide training program that aims to instruct 10,000 teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, coaches and school nurses on how to prevent, identify and report cases of abuse.
Beginning this fall, at least one educator from each of the state's 85 school districts will undergo 6 1/2 hours of training by Darkness to Light, a Charleston-based nonprofit organization. Those educators, in turn, will train at least 20 percent of educators in their district. The state has 50,000 educators.
The training will focus not only on stopping sexual predators but on preventing simply inappropriate relationships, said schools Superintendent Jim Rex. Sometimes young, naive teachers do improper things, with no ill will toward the student, and get into trouble, such as texting students' cell phones or giving them a ride home.
"So much of what schools do is based on trust. Not only must kids trust their teachers, but parents have to trust those teachers too," Rex said. "And schools have to earn that trust each and every day."
Governors, state education officials and lawmakers have led the push for new measures, which include tougher penalties for teachers who abuse students, punishment for administrators who fail to properly oversee their faculty, and an effort to train an entire state's corps of teachers to recognize potential abusers in their midst.
At least four more states are still considering legislation.
They are focusing on an increasingly undeniable phenomenon: While the vast majority of America's roughly 3 million public school teachers are committed professionals, a disturbing number have engaged in sexual misconduct. When faced with evidence of abuse, administrators sometimes fail to let others know about it, and legal loopholes let some offenders stay in the classroom.
"Too often in the past, we as adults have failed our children," Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear said when he signed a new law last month. "Today with this legislation, hopefully, we begin earning back their trust." The measure passed without a single no vote.
Kentucky lawmakers originally drafted a measure aimed at abusive teachers, with the final legislation written broadly to encompass priests, teachers and anyone in authority over someone younger than 18. Besides increasing penalties for abusers and giving prosecutors more time to bring charges, the Kentucky law also takes aim at officials who don't report abuse to authorities.
A nationwide Associated Press investigation, published in October, found 2,570 educators lost their teaching credentials or were otherwise sanctioned from 2001 through 2005 following allegations of sexual misconduct. Experts who track sexual abuse say the problem is even bigger than those numbers suggest. Underreporting is common, they say, because victims often are ostracized and accusations are difficult to prove.
The AP series inspired some of the tougher measures, including Utah's legislation to permanently revoke the licenses of sexually abusive teachers and a new Maine law to share information about teachers disciplined for any reason, including sexual misconduct, with other states. A New York lawmaker cited the AP reports when he rallied support to overturn budget cuts that would have sharply reduced funds for investigators who examine abuse claims in school.
Meanwhile, stories on teacher misconduct by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and The Columbus Dispatch sparked action in Florida and Ohio.
New laws also were passed in Kansas, Minnesota and Virginia, while measures are still being considered in California, Colorado, Delaware and Massachusetts. New York and South Carolina began or expanded programs targeting the problem.
Proposals failed to win legislative approval in Indiana, Missouri, South Dakota, Washington state and West Virginia.
The various measures demonstrate the many loopholes that have allowed abusive teachers to remain in the classroom, including:
_ Backroom deals. Florida's new ethics law for teachers bars school districts from entering into confidential agreements with teachers who get in trouble. Such deals crop up around the country, allowing schools to remove a problem teacher but letting that educator quietly move on to another district or state.
_ Failing to report. Kentucky's law raised the stakes for officials who fail to report allegations of abuse, bringing 90 days in jail for a first offense and up to five years in prison for repeat violations.
_ Problem teachers returning to the classroom. Colorado would require any teacher who lost a license for sexual misconduct to promise never to teach again. The measure awaits Gov. Bill Ritter's signature. Virginia closed a gap that made it possible for teachers who abuse students to be hired by another school district in the time between when they are fired and when the state Education Department is notified.
In New York state, Senate Education Committee Chairman Stephen Saland blasted former Gov. Eliot Spitzer for seeking to cut the investigative unit's $1 million budget in half, accusing Spitzer of declaring "open season on children" for sex predators in schools. He read passages from AP stories that showed the number of "moral conduct" accusations against teachers, administrators and aides had doubled in five years.
The legislature rejected the cuts and instead increased funding to $1.6 million. That will allow for hiring eight more investigators and attorneys to tackle more than 800 pending cases, most of them involving sex with students.
"This will move these people out of the classroom environment more quickly," Saland said. "It's money well spent. In fact, it's a bargain."
South Carolina looked beyond punishment, instead creating a statewide training program that aims to instruct 10,000 teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, coaches and school nurses on how to prevent, identify and report cases of abuse.
Beginning this fall, at least one educator from each of the state's 85 school districts will undergo 6 1/2 hours of training by Darkness to Light, a Charleston-based nonprofit organization. Those educators, in turn, will train at least 20 percent of educators in their district. The state has 50,000 educators.
The training will focus not only on stopping sexual predators but on preventing simply inappropriate relationships, said schools Superintendent Jim Rex. Sometimes young, naive teachers do improper things, with no ill will toward the student, and get into trouble, such as texting students' cell phones or giving them a ride home.
"So much of what schools do is based on trust. Not only must kids trust their teachers, but parents have to trust those teachers too," Rex said. "And schools have to earn that trust each and every day."
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Convicted Sex Offender Arrested Again After Entering Elementary School
Police arrested Carlos Valles shortly after he left T.G. Allen Elementary School on Friday morning. Staff called police after spotting him on campus. He apparently got past the school's security and was looking for his daughter.
Valles was convicted back in 2003 of sexually assaulting his daughter. He was sentenced to ten years probation.
According to the principal, the child's mother contacted the school the day before Valles showed up and told them he was out of prison.
Superintendent Elliff said the elementary school's staff will be reevaluating their security procedures.
Valles was convicted back in 2003 of sexually assaulting his daughter. He was sentenced to ten years probation.
According to the principal, the child's mother contacted the school the day before Valles showed up and told them he was out of prison.
Superintendent Elliff said the elementary school's staff will be reevaluating their security procedures.
Sex offender’s probation extended
A Level 2 sex offender was in violation of his probation when he was twice seen near Hingham schools, a Norfolk County Superior Court judge has ruled.
The man, who lives in Holbrook, will have his probation extended by two years, will be required to wear a GPS monitor, and must stay at least 75 feet away from all elementary schools and public parks, Hingham police confirmed.
He was stopped by police on March 30 near Hingham High School and March 31 near South Elementary School.
A Hingham resident called police on March 30 after seeing a man driving a white Ford Crown Victoria slowly behind a 12-year-old girl on a bicycle.
The next day, the man was stopped near South Elementary School by a police officer who recognized him from the previous day’s call.
The man, who lives in Holbrook, will have his probation extended by two years, will be required to wear a GPS monitor, and must stay at least 75 feet away from all elementary schools and public parks, Hingham police confirmed.
He was stopped by police on March 30 near Hingham High School and March 31 near South Elementary School.
A Hingham resident called police on March 30 after seeing a man driving a white Ford Crown Victoria slowly behind a 12-year-old girl on a bicycle.
The next day, the man was stopped near South Elementary School by a police officer who recognized him from the previous day’s call.
New system will screen school visitors
As the spring semester winds down, Kanawha County school administrators are looking at ways to enhance campus security for the next academic year.
But one school is ahead of the rest when it comes to screening visitors.
St. Albans High is the only school in the state - and one of about five schools nationwide - using the LobbyGuard system to sign people in and out.
Within minutes, a machine scans a driver's license, does a background check and prints a temporary pass for visitors.
"You're able to lock down the building a lot easier," Principal Tom Williams said. "I think in our society today, you've got to be careful with everything you do."Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Sex Offender Charged for Entering School
A Rockingham grand jury indicted a 43-year-old convicted sex offender Monday after police say he showed up at a local high school last month.
The grand jury indicted Broadway resident Robert Breighner on a felony entering school property after being convicted of a violent sexual act.
Breighner, who was convicted in Rockingham County Circuit Court on an aggravated sexual battery charge in 1993, is registered with the Virginia State Police as a violent sex offender.
Prosecutors say this is the first case in Rockingham County to be prosecuted since a new law banning violent sex offenders from schools went into effect last year.
"It's a fairly new law that clearly states that violent sex offenders are not to be on school property," said Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Clark Ritchie. "The reason for the statute is pretty clear: to protect children. We're going to have a zero-tolerance policy."
Friday, May 16, 2008
Somerset bylaw would set zones for sex offenders
Level 2 and 3 sex offenders won’t be able to take out a library book, participate in any public events at a park or school, join other adults in a pickup softball game at any playground, or spend more than 15 minutes conducting business in the town offices under a proposal that will come before voters at Monday night’s Annual Town Meeting.
It’s also unlikely that offenders will be allowed to attend future town meetings after Monday night, even if they have lived in Somerset for years.
The idea for the bylaw comes from Selectman Lorne Lawless, who said similar measures have been ruled constitutional in other communities.
“This regulation has passed constitutional muster,” and it uses the best language from other communities where the rules have been upheld, Lawless said last night. “We feel it will pass [Monday night] and we feel it will protect the children. That’s it.”
It’s also unlikely that offenders will be allowed to attend future town meetings after Monday night, even if they have lived in Somerset for years.
The idea for the bylaw comes from Selectman Lorne Lawless, who said similar measures have been ruled constitutional in other communities.
“This regulation has passed constitutional muster,” and it uses the best language from other communities where the rules have been upheld, Lawless said last night. “We feel it will pass [Monday night] and we feel it will protect the children. That’s it.”
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Sex offender banned from son's graduation
School and law enforcement officials have told a St. Joseph man that he can't attend his son's eighth-grade graduation because he is a convicted sex offender and isn't allowed on school property.
James Jones, 36, said he may go anyway although the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department has told him he would be arrested and face up to four years in prison.
In August 2006, a state law went into effect prohibiting sex offenders from going onto school property without permission from the district superintendent.
Rather than deal with individual requests, Buchanan County superintendents said they will ban all sex offenders from their schools.
"If I start deciding which offenders can and cannot be at school, then I become the judge. And it is not my position to judge a case. The courts have already done that," said St. Joseph School District Superintendent Melody Smith. "My job is to provide the safekeeping of 11,632 students and the people who attend our events."
James Jones, 36, said he may go anyway although the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department has told him he would be arrested and face up to four years in prison.
In August 2006, a state law went into effect prohibiting sex offenders from going onto school property without permission from the district superintendent.
Rather than deal with individual requests, Buchanan County superintendents said they will ban all sex offenders from their schools.
"If I start deciding which offenders can and cannot be at school, then I become the judge. And it is not my position to judge a case. The courts have already done that," said St. Joseph School District Superintendent Melody Smith. "My job is to provide the safekeeping of 11,632 students and the people who attend our events."
sex offender crackdown
The Michigan sex offender statute requires convicted offenders to live and work at least 1,000 feet -- slightly less than two-tenths of a mile, or roughly three blocks -- from a K-12 school, putting them outside of a so-called "school safety zone." Four sex offenders identified in a Flint Journal article as possibly living too close to a "school safety zone" have moved from their homes following a state police crackdown.
Using information from the March 30 article, police investigated where 32 registered sex offenders were living and whether they violated state law by being within 1,000 feet of a school.
The four men, all Flint residents, were directed to move by state police Sgt. Jeff Bauermeister, who is the sex offender registry coordinator for Genesee County.
Other violators were moved based on about nine residents' tips that came in after the article was published, Bauermeister said.
Affected schools were notified, said Bauermeister, who wouldn't specify where the offenders lived.
A community service officer from the Burton Police Department applauded Bauermeister's efforts.
"I think it's great. Sex offenders running around schools are always a concern to parents and the community," Officer Steven Henry said. "It may have prevented problems. But the greatest thing, it gives people peace of mind."
Using information from the March 30 article, police investigated where 32 registered sex offenders were living and whether they violated state law by being within 1,000 feet of a school.
The four men, all Flint residents, were directed to move by state police Sgt. Jeff Bauermeister, who is the sex offender registry coordinator for Genesee County.
Other violators were moved based on about nine residents' tips that came in after the article was published, Bauermeister said.
Affected schools were notified, said Bauermeister, who wouldn't specify where the offenders lived.
A community service officer from the Burton Police Department applauded Bauermeister's efforts.
"I think it's great. Sex offenders running around schools are always a concern to parents and the community," Officer Steven Henry said. "It may have prevented problems. But the greatest thing, it gives people peace of mind."
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Akron woman says school leaders failed to protect her from pedophile teacher
Tricia Green is tired of being the focus of stares and gossip."You can just hear the whispers about me and what he did to me," she said.
Green, 21, recently settled lawsuits with both the Akron Public School and the Manchester Schools after she was molested by music teacher Randall Crane.
The two began a relationship when Green was 14 years old. She came forward to police two years ago.
Crane was arrested and later served six months in jail after pleading guilty to sexual battery."
All the other teachers knew that he was really friendly with the students," Green said. "I think schools need to take a precaution when they hire somebody."
Green said Crane first approached her while she was singing in the choir in Akron's Jennings Middle School. He knew about her tough home life and gained her trust, she said, eventually creating a physical relationship. Crane was married at the time.
What Green didn't know was that Crane had been investigated for crossing the line with female students in the mid-90's while working at the nearby Manchester School District.
School leaders there kept quiet about Crane's conduct and instead wrote Crane a letter of recommendation to Akron School leaders, who accepted Crane as middle school music teacher.
Green, 21, recently settled lawsuits with both the Akron Public School and the Manchester Schools after she was molested by music teacher Randall Crane.
The two began a relationship when Green was 14 years old. She came forward to police two years ago.
Crane was arrested and later served six months in jail after pleading guilty to sexual battery."
All the other teachers knew that he was really friendly with the students," Green said. "I think schools need to take a precaution when they hire somebody."
Green said Crane first approached her while she was singing in the choir in Akron's Jennings Middle School. He knew about her tough home life and gained her trust, she said, eventually creating a physical relationship. Crane was married at the time.
What Green didn't know was that Crane had been investigated for crossing the line with female students in the mid-90's while working at the nearby Manchester School District.
School leaders there kept quiet about Crane's conduct and instead wrote Crane a letter of recommendation to Akron School leaders, who accepted Crane as middle school music teacher.
Registered Sex Offender Appears at School Field Trip
Festus R-6 School District said a registered sex offender showed up unannounced at an elementary school class field trip.
In 2004, Tammy Chmela admitted to having sexual relations with two male students, both teenagers. She was sentenced to five years probation.
"We are disappointed. It is unfortunate that it did happen," Dr. Randy Sheriff, Festus R-VI Superintendent said.Sheriff learned of the incident after a parent notified a school board member.
Missouri law prohibits registered sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of schools and daycare centers. It also stipulates that offenders may not be present within five hundred feet of a school.
For the latter provision, schools may grant an exception on a case by case basis. Festus R-6 regularly permits Chmela to pick up her daughter from school and to attend school functions.
In 2004, Tammy Chmela admitted to having sexual relations with two male students, both teenagers. She was sentenced to five years probation.
"We are disappointed. It is unfortunate that it did happen," Dr. Randy Sheriff, Festus R-VI Superintendent said.Sheriff learned of the incident after a parent notified a school board member.
Missouri law prohibits registered sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of schools and daycare centers. It also stipulates that offenders may not be present within five hundred feet of a school.
For the latter provision, schools may grant an exception on a case by case basis. Festus R-6 regularly permits Chmela to pick up her daughter from school and to attend school functions.
School won't let sex offender be in graduation ceremony
Christopher Lemaster, the Stebbins High School senior recently convicted of sexually assaulting a fellow student, will not be marching with his Stebbins High School graduating class, Mad River Local School District Superintendent Mike Eaglowski announced Friday.
"Taking part in graduation ceremonies is a privilege, not a right," Eaglowski said. "It's based on academic achievement and good, positive behavior."
Lemaster, 18, pleaded guilty April 3 to a fourth-degree felony charge of gross sexual imposition. The charge stemmed from a Nov. 2 incident when Lemaster engaged in sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old sophomore who had passed out at a party after consuming alcohol and Xanax.
The girl woke up with abdominal pain, and her pants were undone, according to police reports. She later learned male students were circulating photos of her undressed on their cell phones.
She went to a school guidance counselor Nov. 5, saying she thought she had been raped.
DNA from a condom thrown out the window linked Lemaster to the girl, according to Riverside Detective Tom Donahue. Lemaster was arrested Feb. 22 and released in lieu of $25,000 bond Feb. 28. He was placed on home instruction March 3.
Allowing Lemaster to graduate with his classmates would send the wrong message to the Stebbins student body, Eaglowski said. "It would send a message that this kind of behavior is condoned, and it will not be," he said. "We need to send the message to all students that there are consequences for every action."
Eaglowski said that school district officials "had many discussions" of the issue and reached their decision after consulting with the district's attorney, Nicholas Subashi. "He concurred that graduation is a privilege to be earned and we were not obligated to allow Lemaster to march," Eaglowski said.
He added that the media attention surrounding the case would detract from the dignity of the ceremony, and that wouldn't be fair to the other graduates.
"Taking part in graduation ceremonies is a privilege, not a right," Eaglowski said. "It's based on academic achievement and good, positive behavior."
Lemaster, 18, pleaded guilty April 3 to a fourth-degree felony charge of gross sexual imposition. The charge stemmed from a Nov. 2 incident when Lemaster engaged in sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old sophomore who had passed out at a party after consuming alcohol and Xanax.
The girl woke up with abdominal pain, and her pants were undone, according to police reports. She later learned male students were circulating photos of her undressed on their cell phones.
She went to a school guidance counselor Nov. 5, saying she thought she had been raped.
DNA from a condom thrown out the window linked Lemaster to the girl, according to Riverside Detective Tom Donahue. Lemaster was arrested Feb. 22 and released in lieu of $25,000 bond Feb. 28. He was placed on home instruction March 3.
Allowing Lemaster to graduate with his classmates would send the wrong message to the Stebbins student body, Eaglowski said. "It would send a message that this kind of behavior is condoned, and it will not be," he said. "We need to send the message to all students that there are consequences for every action."
Eaglowski said that school district officials "had many discussions" of the issue and reached their decision after consulting with the district's attorney, Nicholas Subashi. "He concurred that graduation is a privilege to be earned and we were not obligated to allow Lemaster to march," Eaglowski said.
He added that the media attention surrounding the case would detract from the dignity of the ceremony, and that wouldn't be fair to the other graduates.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
New Sex Offender Voting Policy in Greece Schools
This month, many taxpayers will head to a nearby school to vote on their school district's budget including some registered sex offenders.
That issue raised eyebrows in Greece last year when parents noticed a Level 3 sex offender voting at a local elementary school.
While he didn't do anything wrong, some parents saw the potential for problems.
Recently, the Greece School District sent a letter to registered offenders asking them to vote via absentee ballot or outside of school hours.
It's a change, but, it's not enough for some parents.George Vaisey said, "I'm probably going to keep my daughter home from school that day, I just want to make a statement to the school district that I don't feel it's safe."
The Fairport Central School District adopted a new sex offender visitation policy because of issues raised in Greece.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Sex predator targeting local schoolgirls
A man has been victimizing girls at area school, police said Saturday.
Spring Branch ISD police say the man is exposing himself to the girls and demanding sex acts.
Police said the man drove up as if he was going to ask for directions from young female students. But when the girls came over to the vehicle, he exposed himself and asked them to perform oral sex on him.
When the crime alert was issued, parents expressed alarm.
“We need to have this guy off the street and not victimizing our children,” parent Kathy Payne said. “You try to do everything to protect them, and then you realized you don’t have control.”
Northern Calif. school worker arrested for child molestation
A woman who worked in El Dorado County schools has been arrested on suspicion of molesting children.
Authorities say Trina Lynn Rodriguez, 30, inappropriately touched some children and sent some children sexually explicit text messages on her cell phone. Five children under 14 were involved.
Rodriguez says the allegations are false and she is confused about the arrest. She tells KCRA-TV in Sacramento that she is a hugger, not a molester.
Authorities say Trina Lynn Rodriguez, 30, inappropriately touched some children and sent some children sexually explicit text messages on her cell phone. Five children under 14 were involved.
Rodriguez says the allegations are false and she is confused about the arrest. She tells KCRA-TV in Sacramento that she is a hugger, not a molester.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Predators Among Us
Officer David Northway is at Pineview Elementary school to make sure the school knows when a sexual predator moves into the area.
Principal Marylin Jackson-Ramhing works everyday to make sure everyone is aware that there are predators nearby. And sometimes, even in her school.
"We notify parents what and why...Tell them to stay away," said Ramhing.
But sometimes, the predator and the parent are the same person. And that's a major issue at Pineview.
"We have parents that are on the list," said Ramhing, "When those parents come in, we have a specialized room in the front office where they meet one on one with the teacher and an administrator. Never alone with a staff member."
But the priority is always the children.
"We want to make sure the children and staff are safe. That's the ultimate goal here."
Principal Marylin Jackson-Ramhing works everyday to make sure everyone is aware that there are predators nearby. And sometimes, even in her school.
"We notify parents what and why...Tell them to stay away," said Ramhing.
But sometimes, the predator and the parent are the same person. And that's a major issue at Pineview.
"We have parents that are on the list," said Ramhing, "When those parents come in, we have a specialized room in the front office where they meet one on one with the teacher and an administrator. Never alone with a staff member."
But the priority is always the children.
"We want to make sure the children and staff are safe. That's the ultimate goal here."
Offender screenings begin at 2 Chandler schools
Visitors to Hancock Elementary and Willis Junior High schools now must present a driver's license or other photo ID when entering the schools as officials start a pilot program intended to flag sex offenders.
Called Raptor, the Web-based computer system scans the ID, then sends its information to the Houston-based company, which checks the name against national sex offender databases, and then if the information comes back clear prints out a visitor's badge with picture.
All within seconds.
Called Raptor, the Web-based computer system scans the ID, then sends its information to the Houston-based company, which checks the name against national sex offender databases, and then if the information comes back clear prints out a visitor's badge with picture.
All within seconds.
Schools To Run Sex Offender Check on Visitors
Richland School District Two officials announced Wednesday a new program being implemented at all elementary schools in the district that determines whether visitors are sex offenders.
Officials say the computer program, entitled "New Lobby Guard," uses a touch screen and scans drivers' license information to match it with a national database of sex offenders.
According to a Wednesday press release, the machine prints a photo identification badge for visitors authorized to enter the school.
A red flag alert message is emailed instantly to front desk personnel when a banned visitor attempts to enter, district officials say.
Parents in Richland Two say it's peace of mind worth every second of their time.
"I don't have to wonder about people roaming the halls of her school," says Janet Moak.
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