Parents of school children in Jefferson Parish can now be notified every time a registered sex offender is in their area as part of a new initiative to prevent sex abuse.

The Sheriff’s Office is joining forces with the TASK team. That stands for "teaching awareness to school kids."

Sheriff Newell Normand says there are 1,022 registered sex offenders in Jefferson Parish. He says it’s important to always know your neighbor. Parents of children in Jefferson Parish should expect their kids to receive a brochure about the TASK program. They’re asking parents to talk to their children about sexual abuse and how to prevent it.

Read the full article and watch the video on Fox8 by clicking HERE.

OffenderWatch Initiative is a proud community partner of Hope House, sharing in their dedication to end the cycle of childhood abuse.  We were glad to participate in their breakfast and presentation on the morning of April 26, at Benedict's Plantation in Mandeville.

Pictured (Left to Right)
Exec. Asst. Director of OWI Julio Perez
St. Tammany Public School Superintendent Trey Folse
St. Tammany Parish President Pat Brister
Covington Chief of Police Tim Lentz

NATCHITOCHES — The story is frightening: A young girl recognizes the man's face her mother is viewing on a computer screen, telling her that same man has been following her school bus.

The man turned out to be a twice-convicted Tier III sex offender barred from contact with children. He soon was arrested again after the mother's call to law enforcement.

It's a true story, Julio Perez said on Wednesday as he and other Natchitoches Parish officials gathered to announce the launch of a program that aims to get parents talking to their kids about the dangers of sex offenders.

"Everywhere we go, parents are not aware of who and where these offenders live in their community," said Perez, the executive assistant director of the OffenderWatch Initiative.

To read the full story on The Town Talk, click HERE.

Photo credit: (Photo: Melissa Gregory/mgregory@thetowntalk.com)

School and law enforcement leaders in Natchitoches are teaming with with OffenderWatch Initiative to help raise awareness regarding sex offenders.  

Click the image or the link below to watch the video and read the story on KSLA News 12 in Shreveport, LA.

Natchitoches Parish helping parents track sex offenders - KSLA News 12

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office Media Room announces new initiative for increasing awareness regarding sex offenders.