Westchester Insider: Westchester County: WESTCHESTER COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT KEEPS OUR COUNTY SAFE, KEEPS SEX OFFENDERS OFF THE STREETS ON HALLOWEEN.

 

WESTCHESTER COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT KEEPS OUR COUNTY SAFE, AND KEEPS SEX OFFENDERS OFF THE STREETS DURING HALLOWEEN.

 

For the 16^th year, Sex Offenders Will Attend Anti-Sexual Abuse Victim Impact Program on Halloween.

 

(White Plains, NY) – When it comes time for trick-or-treaters to knock on doors this Halloween, local sex offenders will once again be attending an Anti-Sexual Abuse Victim Impact Program, designed to keep sex offenders off the streets. The annual program is run by the Westchester County Department of Probation, and is part of the Department’s mission to help keep Westchester County safe for our children and families.

 

Over 80 registered and non-registered sex offenders on probation in Westchester County are required to attend the educational program at the Westchester County Courthouse on Monday, October 31 from 5:30 to 10 p.m.

 

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “Our top priority in Westchester County will always be the safety of our children, and I want parents and families to know their kids will be safe and protected when they go out trick-or-treating on Halloween, or on any other night of the year. Our Probation Department is one of the most critical resources we have to keep crime down in our County, and our Anti-Sexual Abuse Victim Impact Program, which is held every year, is just one way we can ensure our streets are safe.”

 

Commissioner of the Probation Department Rocco Pozzi said: “Westchester County’s probation officers oversee thousands of cases and supervise thousands of people who are placed on probation each year. One of our primary responsibilities is ensuring registered and non-registered sex offenders understand the serious impact of their crimes, so they don’t commit a similar crime once they are released back into the public.”

 

The offenders will listen to compelling stories of devastation committed on both children and adult victims, and gain insight into how those acts could continue to impact a victim throughout their life. Curtis St. John, the past President/Media Coordinator of MaleSurvivor.org, will share his personal experiences regarding the impact of abuse, as well as his road to recovery.  Author, speaker and survivor Wiley K. March will speak on issues surrounding multiple types of abuse, and the long term psychological damage the abuse can cause. Veronica Ulerio of Victim’s Assistance Services/WESTCOP, will share her experiences in working with victims of abuse and the impact of sexual assault and trauma.

 

While the program is taking place, Westchester County’s Probation Officers will be out in the community tracking down offenders who fail to report to the event. At the end of the event, in order to provide an added measure of safety to the community, sex offenders will not be allowed to use public transportation. Any offender needing a ride home will be driven by probation officers.

 

For more information about the Westchester County Department of Probation, visit our website. The program is not open to the media.