Sex Offender Notification
In January of 1966, the Sex Offender Registration Act was passed into law. The act requires all sex offenders to register with the Division of Criminal Justice Services. This law authorizes local law enforcement agencies to disseminate relevant information about offenders to entities with vulnerable populations.
Effective July 2002, State University Police Departments will now receive direct notification from the Division of Criminal Justice Services if a registered sex offender enrolls at or is employed by the SUNY campus.
Individuals convicted of sex offenses throughout the country may be designated as “sex offenders,” and some may be required to register with law enforcement agencies. In New York State, there are three categories or levels of sex offenders. They are Level One, Level Two, and Level Three. Level Three offenders are considered to have committed the most serious sexual offenses and to pose the greatest threat of re-offending, while Level One offenders are considered to have committed the least serious of offenses and are least likely to re-offend.
By law the following information can be disseminated on registered sex offenders: name, address (either home address if Level 3 offender or zip code if Level 1 or 2 offender), physical description, crime of conviction, modus operandi, type of victim targeted, special conditions imposed on parole.
The State of New York Division of Criminal Justice Services and the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office maintain an online service listing offenders in the State and in our area.
Additionally, the University Police will maintain a Binder of all reported Sex Offenders who currently attend SUNY Canton or are currently employed by SUNY Canton. This information will be available to the public 24/7 at the University Police Department. The University Police Department is also responsible for notification of vulnerable populations for Level 3 offenders.