PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY WITH "MEGAN’S LAW"
By Dave Rosenberg,Yolo County Supervisor, District Four
In 1947, California implemented the nation’s first sex offender registration program to help track the whereabouts of persons convicted of specific sex crimes. The registration requirement is for life unless the offender is relieved of this responsibility through a pardon.
By calling a "900" number, members of the public can learn if a person is a registered serious sex offender. In 1996, the law was expanded to include information on convicted serious sex offenders who have victimized adults.
In 1996, California enacted "Megan’s Law," which provides the public with photographs and descriptive information on serious sex offenders residing in California who have been convicted of committing sex crimes and are required to register their whereabouts with local law enforcement.
HOW TO OBTAIN SEX OFFENDER INFORMATION
Sex Offender Identification Line. The Sex Offender Identification Line is a telephone service for use by the public and organizations to identify serious sex offenders. The cost for calling the 1-900-463-0400 line is a flat rate fee of $10 for information on up to two individuals.
To use the 900 line, you must be at least 18 years of age, and you must know the following information about the person you are checking:
* Name of person, AND one of the following:
* An exact address; or
* An exact date of birth, or
* California driver’s license, identification number or social security number.
If you only know the person’s name, you will need to provide a complete description of the person.
Megan’s Law CD-ROM. Provides another means to obtain information on California’s more than 64,000 serious sex offenders. A CD-ROM, now available for public viewing, provides the following information about serious sex offenders: registrant’s name; aliases; photograph (if available); sex; physical description, including scars, marks, and tattoos; registered sex offenses; county of residence; and ZIP code (based on last registration). To view the CD-ROM you must:
* Be 18 years of age or older;
* Provide a California driver’s license or identification card;
* Sign a statement that you are not a registered sex offender; that you understand the purpose of the release of information is for the public to protect themselves and their children from sex offenders; and that it is illegal to use the information to harass, discriminate or commit a crime against any registrant;
* State a distinct purpose for viewing the CD-ROM, if required by local law enforcement.
For residents of Yolo County, the Sheriff makes the Megan’s Law CD-ROM available to the public 24 hours each day. It is available for viewing at the lobby of the Monroe Detention Center, 41797 Gibson Road, Woodland.
Community Notification. You may also receive information about serious sex offenders through your local law enforcement agency or your neighborhood school.
USE OF THIS INFORMATION
The release of this information to the public is a means of assuring public protection and not to punish the offender. The information may not be used to harass the offender or commit any crime against the offender. Public safety is best served when offenders are not concealing their location to avoid harassment.
PROTECTING YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY
You can reduce the risk to yourself and your family by taking simple precautions:
* Practice good security at home, at the office, and in your vehicle.
* Be alert to location and situations that make you and your family vulnerable to crime, and be aware of people around you and your family.
* Educate yourself on crime prevention tactics. For assistance, contact the Yolo County Sheriff’s office (or local police department), or the Crime and Violence Prevention Center of the California Attorney General’s Office.
Teach your children to avoid situations that put them in danger of abuse, molestation or abduction. Help protect your child by establishing a home environment where your child feels safe to tell you anything without fear of shame, ridicule or punishment.
A safe and supportive home environment, combined with clear instructions about what behavior is acceptable and what is not, will guide your child’s actions and encourage your child to tell you if something improper happens.
Many parents warn their children not to talk to strangers. But, regrettably, more often than not, an abuser or abductor is actually known to the child.
It is best to teach your child to avoid certain situations or actions. Children should know from an early age that some behavior isn’t acceptable, and that they have the right to tell an adult to leave them alone.