Pizza Party Peep Show

Maine’s "Seacoastonline.com" news source reported that a volunteer flag football coach for the Exeter Parks and Recreation Department has gotten the boot for displaying a pornographic image on his cell phone to a group of 12 year olds.

Christopher Miller may have thought he was being one cool grown up during an end of year pizza party when he showed the youth in his charge a cell phone photo described as “inappropriate” by Police Chief Richard Kane. But instead of “cool”, Miller came off as a “creep” leading to several kids informing their parents who, in turn, contacted the Parks and Recreation Department.

The Exeter Police Department was subsequently notified which led to Mr. Miller’s arrest. He was charged with a class B misdemeanor and fined $1,200. Although the sentence doesn’t carry jail time, it does ensure he won’t be doing any volunteer work with young kids anytime soon.

Police Captain Chris Fenerty applauded the quick action of the Parks and Recreation Department saying that “They did a real nice job. As soon as they found out, they immediately notified us.”

Mike Favereau, who serves as the Parks and Recreation Director, said “I’ve been in the business for more than 30 years and I’ve never had something like this happen. You pick up the paper and hear about it happening in other communities. You just never know.”

The Exeter Parks and Recreation Department has a policy of conducting a nationwide background check on volunteer coaches and performs annual checks from the point after which they sign on with the department. Although Miller had no prior record, the incident has been enough for the Parks and Recreation Department to look for ways to bolster its existing screening process for volunteer coaches.

In wake of the incident, a coaches meeting was conducted for a discussion on responsibilities coaches have when interacting with kids. There are also plans now to involve the police department in the coaches training program. The department is also considering altering the policies which allow coaches to hold celebrations and events that are not town sanctioned.

Fortunately, this situation was caught right where it needed to be. The Exeter Parks and Recreation Department seems to already be taking the necessary steps to make certain another impromptu (and wholly inappropriate) pizza party peep show never occurs again.

Another Sex Offender Caught Volunteering with Children's Sports Program

Esmond Frazier, a registered sex offender, was caught on video volunteering at the Pine Forest Athletic Association park in Jacksonville, Florida at a youth football game.

Frazier possesses a criminal record of sex crimes in 2006 and lewd assault on a child in 2005. He admitted to having sex numerous times with a youth under the age of 15. At the time, he was an assistant volleyball coach and after-school tutor at Lee High School.

Frazier was placed on probation for 3 years and is required to register as a sex offender; however, during his probationary period, he was back on the field, volunteering at football games for youth.

The president of the youth football conference stated that they perform background checks on all volunteers supervising children. Because Frazier's volunteer position did not require the supervision of children, but rather holding chains, the school did not require a background check on him.

Regardless of the fact that Frazier was not supervising children directly, he was still in close contact with them and very soon after he was placed on probation. While the youth football conference did not state the reason for not running background checks on all of its employees, one hopes that this incident will lead to that result.