How prepared is your Community?

Re-entry of formerly incarcerated sex offenders pose a particular challenge to both communities impacted as well as law enforcements efforts to monitor and keep communities safe.

In May 2009 there was strong community opposition to the placement of sex offenders at a local homeless shelter "Harrington Hall." The result was the emergence of a unique collaborative effort between all stakeholders in the Community.

"Operation Vigilance" was formed not just from necessity but from a common sense of urgency, responsibility, and accountability. Efforts between community resources such as "Keep Cranston Safe," the city of Cranston's Mayor Fung, and Police Chief Palumbo as well as his department resulted in this model program in the summer of 2009.

The program effectively monitors the sex offender population through the coordination of multiple resources throughout the city. 

Tools such as the passage of the "Community Notification Act" are vital resources assisting with programs similar to Cranston. This Act offers a window of shared knowledge of offenders residency status and addtional offenders integrated back into communities.

A recent visit with Lt. Bob Brothers and Detective Pete Podedworny was an introduction for defining the need for the program.

Det. Podedworny, Special Victims Unit , said. " A huge majority of sex offender crimes are 'behind closed doors' iIn contrast to other crimes like robbery, tracking this criminal element becomes more challenging." In the coming visits ASC will take a closer look at how the intergral parts of Operation Vigilance work together.

In highlighting this program it is our hope that Rhode Islanders not only get involved in similar efforts to address safer communities; but that those who choose to violate the rights of others be aware of the deterrents that exist before they prey on their next victim.

For an Outline of the Operation in Cranston Click Here

For the Cranston PD Site Click Here