Assemblyman Joseph S. Saladino recently hosted a parent training seminar, entitled Protecting our Children from Sexual Predators in an effort to educate the parents of children who attend the Island Trees School District on the dangers of sexual predators and how to protect their children. The seminar was also attended by Detective Lieutenant John Allen, Lieutenant John Fowle and Anthony Zenkus, a representative from the Coalition Against Child Abuse and Neglect.

Before a crowd of about 60 attendees, Saladino commented on the seminar's importance.

"The purpose of this assembly is, for the first time, we have a three-part program to help parents keep their children from harm," Saladino said.

This was the main agenda of the session, which began with a forward by Saladino addressing the importance of attendance at the seminar as well as disturbing statistics. He wrapped his portion up with what his lobbying group has been trying to push through the New York State Legislature.

The statistics that his legislation is attempting to correct include that 61 percent of rape cases go unreported and of those, only half will have arrests made. He noted, "This is not a commentary on the jobs being done by the gentlemen to my right [police personnel], because they are doing their job to the fullest. It is the laws preventing them from doing more."

Included in his legislative reform are the inclusions of civil confinement, which will allow judges to order convicted predators to confinement; the prevention of allowing sexual offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school; the requirement of wearing GPS (global positioning system) trackers; mandatory lifetime registration for sexual offenders and the mandated release of information regarding Level Two and Three sexual offenders. Saladino said that while his party are trying to get this legislation passed, it is necessary that they have the support of the community as well.

Detective Lieutenant John Allen, commanding officer of the Special Services Squad, Missing Persons Special Victims Bureau in Nassau County, an officer for over 28 years, began his speech with a startling message to the audience.

"With the bulk majority of our cases, the molester is not registered," Allen said.

He then continued with another round of statistics meant to sink the audience even further into their seats. One in five girls and one in 10 boys are sexually exploited before they reach adulthood, and according to Allen, "The perception that a sexual predator is that stranger in an overcoat is less likely to happen than with someone who is currently accessible to the child."

His advice to the audience, before ceding the podium to the next speaker echoed the message that permeated the rest of the night - that parents must be ever vigilant and take an interest in their children's lives, including talking with them on a daily basis.

Next, Lieutenant John Fowle, supervisor of Sex Offense and Domestic Violence Unit of the Nassau County Department of Probation spoke on specific instances within Nassau County.

Fowle, in conjunction with his team, has assembled a team of sex offender managers who have "made our county one of the safest in the country." At the end of his speech, he informed the audience that there were 150 registered sex offenders in Nassau County, but there were 225 arrests resulting in 75 unconvicted offenders. In referencing these statistics, Fowle was quick to point out that he and his team have recently began wearing their uniforms in public to make them a greater presence in our society and to further the safety of the children in our community.

Last to speak was Anthony Zenkus, the coordinator of education, representing the Coalition Against Child Abuse and Neglect. He resonated the message of previous speakers of the responsibility of parents, along with organizations represented, to protect the children as a cohesive unit. The coalition, which was created in 1979, is dedicated to educating parents and children on how to stay away from sexual predators. He recommended taking proactive steps with children which included always responding with support, teaching real names of body parts so as to suspend the fantasy aspect that is sometimes associated with some of the more playful names, teaching children not to say I love you to everyone, and, most importantly, that grown ups are not always right.

At the end of this three-part seminar, a motivated Saladino approached the podium and reiterated everything that had been stated thus far, that vigilance, and a proactive attitude with our children along with being aware of their surroundings, is the best defense.

In what is a constant battle, the sponsor of the night, the Martial Arts Institute, will also be holding a seminar/training program to further the efforts by the parties represented there.

It is their intention to attend more schools in and around Nassau County to raise awareness, so if interested, the group urges parents to call and request the seminar. In addition, information on Megan's Law, and sexual predators in our area can be found at www.criminaljustice.state.ny.us/nsor. To request the information presented at the seminar and to obtain copies of the petition for your signature, contact Saladino's district office at 844-0365.