Find out where your town's sex offenders live

[paineinthearse]

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=93250

Find out where your town's sex offenders live
By Kristen Bradley / Daily News Staff
Wednesday, March 16, 2005

Nearly 25 years ago, you could unknowingly be living next door to a sex predator and no one -- not the police department nor anyone else -- was obligated to tell you. Today, with the help of the state's Sex Offender Registry Board, people convicted of sex crimes are not only monitored but required by law to make themselves known to the registry board.

The board makes that information public -- something unheard of in July 1994 when a 7-year-old New Jersey girl was raped and murdered by the man living across the street from her home. That man had a criminal past including sex crimes that no one knew about. After her murder, Congress passed "Megan's Law" a federal requirement instructing each state to establish community notification of sex offenders living and working in town.

In Massachusetts, implementing the federal law took time and heartfelt debates. And then came the hot-button issue over what should be available on the Internet and who should have access to it. Finally in August 2004, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled that everyone has the right to view information on the worst sexual predators. But there would be limits to accessibility depending on the degree of the offense.

As soon as the SJC ruling was made public on Aug. 3, the Sex Offender Registry Board's Web site was flooded with hits -- 1.2 million between Aug. 3 and Aug. 31. "We were overwhelmed," said Charles McDonald, director of communications and legislation for the Sex Offender Registry Board. "Before (the SJC ruling), you didn't have the right to the information unless you lived in a particular community. But the court said everybody has the right to the information." Now, some 7,000 people a day log on to Web site at www.mass/gov/sorb, McDonald said.

more.......

For more information on the Sex Offender Registry Board go to www.mass/gov/sorb or call 800-93MEGAN.

[candy]

1. I've done it---scary stuff!!!!!