Before the start of school year on August 29, town officials expect to have 24 separate "child safety zones" posted in town at public properties where the presence of registered sex offenders is prohibited by a 2011 town ordinance under the penalty of a $250 fine.

Police Lieutenant Christopher Vanghele, who is the patrol operations commander for the police department, said August 15 that beyond the ten local residents who are registered sex offenders, the ordinance covers all registered sex offenders living in the state. As of August 17, there were 5,828 registered sex offenders living in Connecticut.

Lt Vanghele said that there has not been a problem concerning registered sex offenders entering publicly owned properties frequented by children.

The town ordinance does not cover state-owned properties, he said.

The lieutenant noted that while the ordinance prohibits registered sex offenders from entering certain properties, it allows them to be present on public sidewalks adjacent to those properties. Also, the ordinance contains exceptions that would allow the offenders to legally enter prohibited properties under certain conditions, he said.

The ten registered sex offenders who live in town will be formally notified that the town is posting the 24 locations with child safety zone signage, the lieutenant said.

According to Town Ordinance 118, known as "Child Protection," which was approved by the Legislative Council in 2011, child safety zones include any park, school, playground, recreation center, bathing beach, swimming pool, wading pool, gymnasium, sports field, trail, passive recreation area, open space parcel, or sports facility that is under the town's jurisdiction.

The 24 child safety zones include Newtown High School, Newtown Middle School, Reed Intermediate School, Hawley School/Taylor Field, Head O' Meadow School, Middle Gate School, and Sandy Hook Elementary School. Other locations include Dickinson Park, Treadwell Park/Tilson Field, Lake Lillinonah Town Park, Eichler's Cove Marina/Beach, Orchard Hill Nature Center, Glander Fields, Liberty Fields, Oakview Field, Watertown Ball Fields, Bridge End Farm Ball Field, Fairfield Hills Baseball Fields #1 and #2, and the Newtown Teen Center. Also covered are NYA Sports & Fitness Center, Edmond Town Hall, Booth Library, and Children's Adventure Center.

In September 2009, the Police Commission endorsed creating child safety zones. The Legislative Council approved a town ordinance on the matter in late 2011.

Information on the child safety zones will be available for public review at the first selectman's office, the police station, and on the police department's website.