Syracuse DPW employee arrested for threatening 12-year-old girl
James Desantis, a twice-convicted sex offender, was arrested after allegedly threatening a girl. The city was unaware of his background due to lack of background checks.
Incident Overview
James Desantis, a 12-year employee of the Syracuse Department of Public Works (DPW), was arrested Thursday for allegedly threatening a 12-year-old girl with a photo of a gun in an attempt to solicit sexual contact. Desantis, a Level 3 sex offender, had previously been convicted of raping two teenage girls.
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Background Checks and Employment
According to Syracuse.com, the city of Syracuse did not conduct background checks on employees in the DPW, which allowed Desantis to be hired and promoted despite his criminal history. This lack of oversight has raised serious concerns about public safety and the hiring practices within the city’s departments.
Community Response
The arrest has sparked outrage among community members, who are questioning how a high-risk sex offender was able to work in a position where he could interact with the public. Local advocates are calling for immediate reforms to ensure that background checks are mandatory for all city employees, especially those in sensitive positions.
What’s Next?
As the investigation continues, city officials are expected to review current hiring practices and consider implementing stricter background check policies. Community leaders are also planning a meeting to discuss safety measures and how to prevent similar incidents in the future.
By The Numbers
- 12 years, duration of Desantis’s employment with the Syracuse DPW, according to Syracuse.com.
- 2, number of teenage girls Desantis previously raped, as reported.
- 1, number of charges filed against Desantis for threatening the 12-year-old girl.
Conclusion
This incident highlights significant gaps in the city’s hiring practices and raises questions about the safety of residents. As the community seeks answers, the city must act swiftly to address these concerns and ensure that such oversights do not happen again.
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Sources
- Syracuse.com, details on the arrest and background checks.
- LocalSYR, coverage of the incident and community response.
