WESTFORD -- Right now, if you want to learn about Level 2 sex offenders living or working in your town, you have to go to the police station and fill out a request for information.

That's a step Police Chief Thomas McEnaney hopes parents will take.

"We will give you that information," McEnaney said. "You're entitled to it."

But pending legislation would make that information as easy to get as it is for Level 3 sex offenders, state Rep. Jim Arciero, D-Westford, told residents at the J.V. Fletcher Library last night.

Arciero and McEnaney were among a group of panelists who participated in a forum "Community Conversation: Keeping Our Children Safe from Sex Offenders."

Level 2 offenders are those who are considered to have a moderate likelihood of committing another sex crime, whereas Level 3 offenders are considered most likely to repeat. Level 3 sex offender information is available on the Internet.

"There's such a small, thin line between Level 2 and 3 sex offenders, it's critical to have that information," Arciero said.

Arciero is cosponsoring House Bill 1350 which would make Level 2 sex offender information available online. He urged audience members to send letters and e-mails supporting the bill to their own legislators.

McEnaney described a situation that occurred when he was putting his twin sons on the school bus. When the bus door opened, he discovered the driver -- a substitute for the day -- was a Level 2 sex offender. "There I was, staring right at him," McEnaney said.

The CORI process failed in that case.

"But the bus company is doing a much better job now," McEnaney observed.

Police Safety Officer Mike Croteau described the process involved in classifying sex offenders and who is referred to the Sex Offender Registration Board. But getting certain sex offenders to report their whereabouts is voluntary.

Classifying sex offenders does not give police the ability to control where they live and work, who they interact with or their daily activities, said Croteau.

"Know your neighbors. Find out if there are any Level 2 or 3 sex offenders among them," said Debbie Savoia, vice president of the advocacy group Community Voices. The North Andover resident became involved in the issue in 1992 when she received an anonymous letter about a sex offender moving into her neighborhood.

Sharing "advice from a child molester," Laurie Myers, president of Community Voices and a Chelmsford resident, described characteristics that parents should know.

A child molester is someone who pays a lot of attention to a child. This person has an appearance of someone that parents and child can trust, Myers said. The abuser will know your child's likes and dislikes often better than the parents. The person will buy gifts or treats for the child. The molester will try to isolate the child from his or her parents.

And, she cautioned, it is easier for a parent to isolate a child from family members than for anyone else.

"Talk to your children about sexual abuse," Myers said. "Talk openly about sexual development, behavior and abuse."

"It's a tough subject," said Savoia. Parents give their children a lot of safety information "but we don't tell them how to protect themselves from sex offenders."

Parents should "routinely quiz their children about what happens when they are away," Savoia recommended.

Parents might ask "Did anything fun happen?" That question might elicit a response if an abuser has made a child think they're playing a game.

Check references for baby-sitters and do not let children walk or bicycle alone, Savoia advised.

Myers and Savoia are frequently lobbying for reforms in sex-offender laws.

Last night's forum was organized by Westford residents Pam LaBarre and Wendy Brown, who hope that it will spur discussion and action in other communities.

"It's not just a Westford problem," they said.