by Mike Schnitzel
According to Inspector Alan Cochran, Paul Donofreo, 64, has registered with the police department and is living at 81 Lynbrook Avenue in Lynbrook.
A report from the New York State Department of Criminal Justice states that Donofreo was convicted on May 25, 2000 of sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl who was known to him. Donofreo served one year and three days in state prison for the crime.
Among conditions of his release, Donofreo must "seek, obtain, maintain employment" as well as abstain from alcohol and submit to substance abuse testing, according to the report. He must also participate in a sex offender treatment program, have no contact with the victim, and have no contact with children under the age of 18 unless the child is in the company of an adult at least 21 years of age.
"He has been convicted of a sexual offense," said Cochran at Monday night's village board meeting. "He served his time, he's not on probation. He can choose to live wherever he wants, however, he must register with the police department within 10 days."
According to Cochran, Donofreo moved in on Feb. 15 and registered as a sex offender with the police department on Feb. 22. The day after, Police Chief Joseph Neve sent a letter to the Lynbrook School District, informing them that a sex offender was now residing in the community, according to Detective Fred Fusswinkel. Private schools and homes in the vicinity of Donofreo's Lynbrook Avenue address were also notified of the presence of a sex offender in their neighborhood. The Malverne, East Rockaway, and Valley Stream school districts were notified about Donofreo, but have their own disclosure policies, said Fusswinkel.
Responding to concern at Monday's board meeting from resident Pat Cox that the police department did not notify the community in a timely fashion, Fusswinkel said "We wanted to make sure we were providing the information within the boundaries of the law."
There was confusion in the community when the police department earlier notified the Lynbrook School District that two sex offenders had registered in the community. William Wright was listed as residing on Thompson Place in Lynbrook, but according to Cochran, Wright is no longer there.
"He visited [the Thompson Place address] once in awhile, and that's why it was listed as an address," said Cochran at the meeting. "He may not have lived in that residence. He may have only visited there." Other residents in attendance Monday night were worried that not enough people were notified about Donofreo's presence in the community. Madeline Mastrogiacomo, who has young grandchildren, but not attending Lynbrook schools, said "We've got to do better than [notifying only] the schools."
She suggested that fliers be passed out in the village with a picture of Donofreo and pertinent information about him.
Fusswinkel emphasized that according to the law, information about a convicted sex offender cannot be used to harass that individual. He suggested that parents know where their children are at all times and discuss personal safety issues with them. He also suggested people come up with a family safety plan, during a telephone interview with the Herald.
Trustee Richard Clifford, the board's liaison to the police department, said that as a result of Donofreo's move to Lynbrook, the village would be participating in a new e-mail notification program called Parents For Megan's Law. Under the new program, when the Lynbrook Police Department receives notification that a sex offender has moved into the village, the police department will then notify the e-mail alert program, which, in turn, will inform those who sign up to participate in the free program.
"This will enhance the notification process that is already in place with the school systems," said Clifford.
For more information on sex offenders, people can visit the sex offender registry at the Department of Criminal Justice Web site at www.criminaljustice.state.ny.us. For more information on the Parents For Megan's Law e-mail notification program, go to www.parentsformeganslaw.com.
