Zero Tolerance for Sex Offenders

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Zero Tolerance for Sex Offenders
February 06, 2009
Marine Corps News|by Cpl. Margaret Hughes

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — Whether children are splashing in the community pool during the summer months, walking the family dog or playing in their own back yard, parents want to feel secure knowing their children are safe in a military community.

Headquarters Marine Corps under direction from the Secretary of the Navy recently published a policy letter stating that all registered sex offenders are now prohibited from occupying or accessing Marine Corps government-owned, leased or privatized family housing. The SECNAV policy was issued Dec. 31.

“We want service members to know that while they are fighting for their country, their family members are taken care of back home,” said Ken Tinquist, the Combat Center’s housing officer.

According to the policy letter, all service members applying for government housing and every member of their family who will be residing with them will now be screened using available sex offender registries prior to placement.

Although service members are screened prior to enlistment, they will be screened again because circumstances could change during military service and for a variety of other reasons, Tinquist said.


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