Community Notification Meetings: Suggested Procedures for Law Enforcement  

Minnesota’s Predatory Offender Community Notification Law requires law enforcement agencies to disclose information regarding Level 3 Predatory Offenders (those determined to be most likely to re-offend) to members of the community who are likely to encounter the offender.  This requirement for disclosure of information expands upon what notifications are legislatively required for Level 1 and 2 Predatory Offenders.  Typically, this information is shared with the public during a community meeting hosted by local law enforcement with the primary objective of increasing resident’s safety and addressing their concerns.

 

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• Collect all pertinent information regarding the offender.  Community residents will likely want to know all of their past offenses, who they victimized, how long they served in prison, what treatment they received while incarcerated, and what geographic area they will be residing within.

 

• Develop new proactive strategies with patrol officers that will demonstrate to the community that the police and/or sheriff’s department will be actively addressing their concerns about this sex offender.

 

• Determine where and when the meeting will be held.  It is advisable to host meetings in a church or similar setting if possible as it often has a calming effect on angry and anxious residents.  It is also helpful to host meetings no earlier than 7p.m., as many families need time after the workday to address their family’s needs.

 

• Assess what audio/visual capabilities you will need to show the JWRC DVD and accommodate any panelist’s PowerPoint presentations.

 

• Develop an agenda for the meeting and coordinate panel members and speaking points. Generally, a panel should consist of local law enforcement officials, state corrections representatives, community corrections/supervision agents, local victim advocate agencies, and members of local school administration.  

* Note that residents want to be heard and feel as if their community leaders are interested in their safety.  It is highly recommended that the meeting is hosted by the Chief of Police/Sheriff and attended by the Mayor and/or city/township council members if possible.

 

• Develop a strategy for informing the public of the meeting through multiple forms of media.  It is advisable to promote the meeting via: 

1.       Posted Flyers                                                            

2.     Mailed Flyers

3.       Bulk Phone/Email Notifications                       

4.     Local News Paper

5.    Local Cable Television                                           

6.    Police/Sheriff’s Department Website

7.       City/Township/County Website

 

* It is best to notify residents in as broad a surrounding geographic area as is possible, depending upon population density.

 

 

 

• Prior to the meeting date, schedule a short session for all panelists to meet and discuss the format, agenda, speaking points, logistical concerns, timing, and offender specifics.

 

Notification Follow Up

While notification meetings are an important component to bolstering neighborhood safety, specific initiatives following such events can further community knowledge.The following steps will help to reinforce the important messages that are presented in a notification meeting.

 

• Broadcast the meeting via your local cable station.  Arrange for the video to be re-played multiple times over the course of the following two weeks.

 

• Host a safety fair or presentation in the weeks following the notification meeting.  Utilize this opportunity to reiterate action steps that families and communities can take to be safer.

 

• Explore the academic literature and share research findings with residents and law enforcement staff.   Important areas of social science  inquiry include:

Sex Offender Residency Restrictions

Sex Offender Recidivism

Victim/Offender Relationships

• Review sex offender related legislation and management policies that have demonstrated success in reducing recidivism.  Share such information with residents and law enforcement staff.
  
   

Ask residents to evaluate the notification process and the meeting itself.  Often community residents will identify ways to better address their safety concerns. If residents are still feeling anxiety around the issue, refer them to support staff at JWRC: 1-800-325-HOPE

 

Click here for a full version PDF of this checklist, or click here for an abridged version.