Assemblyman Greg Ball (R,C,I-Patterson) was in Yorktown Thursday for a public forum focusing on policies and practices to safeguard children from sex offenders. Ball, a member of the Assembly Minority Sex Offender Watch Task Force, was joined by Assemblyman Robert Castelli(R,C,I Goldens Bridge),Yorktown Supervisor Susan Siegel,Yorktown Councilmembers Nick Bianco, Dr. Terrence Murphy,Vishnu Patel,Yorktown Town Justice Salvatore Lagonia,and local law enforcement officials.

Ball has worked previously with Putnam County officials to enact Child Safety Zones in that County which  bar convicted sex offenders from living or working near places children live or frequent.

Ball said,"This is a very complex issue. It involves molestation, rape, assault,incest and other sexual crimes. Most of these crimes are committed within the four walls of our homes, or by people we know and trust." He added, "We need unified participation and communication from the many advocates as well as the school districts to combat the problem."
Rebecca deSimone of Victims Assistance Services said Child Safety Zone legislation is not a comprehensive solution to the greater problem. According to deSimone,"Strangers are responsible for only about 10 percent of the attacks. Ninety percent of abusers are known by the victims. They are family or people within our communities, and we need a comprehensive perspective on this crime."