Legislator Tim Kennedy accompanied by Dr. David G. Heffler, Ph.D., spoke to a standing room only audience at a local block club meeting last Thursday regarding the pressing issue of sexual offenders living among us. Legislator Kennedy invited Dr. Heffler to create awareness and answer many questions generating from concerned citizens of the Second Legislative District.

“It was recently brought to my attention that there are individuals living among us that have a history of sexual deviant behavior toward minors,” Kennedy said, “After researching the issue I found out that the notification process utilized by suburban school districts is not being followed by the City of Buffalo.”

“I have drafted a resolution calling on the Buffalo School Superintendent, the Board of Education, as well as city, county and state leaders, in coordination with law enforcement agencies, to put forward a long-term sex offender neighborhood notification plan in hopes of finding a solution to this problem.”

Dr. David G. Heffler, Ph.D., a practicing psychotherapist with his private firm Niagara Frontier Psychiatric Associates specializing in the treatment of sexual offenders. Legislator Kennedy invited him to speak to help create awareness and understanding of the sex offenders in our neighborhoods. Dr. Heffler answered many questions from concerned citizens and parents. Some of the issues he touched on were the different levels of sexual offenders, likelihood of repeating offenses, what types of behaviors to be aware of and many other concerns. Dr. Heffler will be returning on a yet to be determined date to speak further in detail to whomever would be interested in attending.

Legislator Kennedy encourages citizens to stop by his office and pick up a sex offender petition produced by his office to gather overwhelming support for action to be taken by all parties identified in his resolution calling for a neighborhood notification system to be developed in the City of Buffalo. Until this system is established Kennedy has designated his district office to be a liaison between the Buffalo Police Department and local block club leaders to disseminate any information concerning the location of new and existing sex offenders living in the Second Legislative District.

For more information concerning this matter or any other issues please contact Legislator Kennedy’s district office at 824-6180 or stop by at 1928 South Park Avenue, Buffalo, NY. 14220.

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