My name is Danielle Donato, and I live in Phoenix District 3. I’m a mother, a neighbor, and an advocate, but more than anything, I’m someone who believes children and families deserve to feel safe in their own homes.

That belief was shattered when I received a notification from the State of Arizona in June informing us that a Level 3 registered sex offender, classified as high-risk for re-offense, had been placed just steps away from families and two elementary schools without any public notification for over four months.

During those months, the offender lived among us, presenting himself as a friendly, trustworthy neighbor. He interacted with children and their families, walking the neighborhood and building casual rapport, while no one knew his background.

When I asked why the community wasn’t informed sooner, Detective Harris, the official contact assigned to this individual, told us the system was “backed up.” His final response: “If you don’t like it, you can move.” That statement and the long delay in notification felt dismissive, devastating, and dangerous.

Sadly, this isn’t an isolated failure. According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, over 9,500 registered sex offenders currently reside in our state. Of those, Level 3 offenders are considered most likely to re-offend, yet there is no standardized timeline for notifying the public, and housing decisions vary widely by jurisdiction. In some cases, families never receive notice at all.

Nationally, the numbers are even more alarming:

• In the U.S., a sex offense is reported every 2.57 minutes, totaling over 204,000 incidents each year
• 18% of victims are children under age 10, and 66% of child victims are assaulted by someone they know
• Only 5–10% of sex offenses are ever reported, meaning the real threat is far greater than statistics reveal

Since learning the truth, families in our neighborhood no longer feel secure. Surveillance cameras now face our yards and play areas, and children are asking questions no parent should have to answer. We need more than comfort, we need change.

I started this petition to ensure this never happens again, to any neighborhood in Arizona. We are calling for:

Mandatory notification protocols for all registered sex offenders, with clear deadlines and agency transparency
Housing restrictions near schools, parks, daycare centers, and densely residential areas with high concentrations of children
Accountability from law enforcement and oversight agencies when safety concerns are delayed or dismissed

This isn’t just my story. It’s a warning. And it’s a call to protect children, restore trust, and build a safer Arizona.

To support families in every district, I’ve also created a public safety toolkit with district contacts, outreach templates, and action steps.
📄 Explore the full resource here: Public Safety Toolkit

— Danielle Donato
Mother • Neighbor • Community Safety Advocate