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DATE: March 12, 2002
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: Putting A Spotlight On San Diego County's Registered Sex Offenders

SUMMARY:
Reference
Megan's Law was enacted in 1996 to make available information on the whereabouts of dangerous sex offenders to the public. Megan's Law is named after Megan Kanka, a seven year old girl from New Jersey who was raped and killed by a known child molester. Megan's parents were unaware that a violent sexual offender had moved across the street from their home. California residents who are over the age of 18, have a valid drivers license and are not a registered sex offender, can view information on "serious" and "high-risk" sex offenders in their community on a CD-ROM by visiting local sheriff or police departments.

Unfortunately, this information is not readily available over the internet. Parents need easy access to this information and may be unaware that a CD-ROM is available for their use. Today's action will direct the Chief Administrative Officer to put information of registered sex offenders on the County's web page by setting up a mapping system and exploring the establishment of a secure and restricted web site. In addition, the County will be urging legislators to enhance Megan's Law so that parents can better protect their children.

Recommendations
Supervisor Dianne Jacob
1. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to work with County Counsel and the public safety group to explore the feasibility of setting up a mapping system with the approximate location of registered sex offenders on the County's web page, similar to the Cities of Fresno, Fremont, Fairfield and Santa Rosa, and return to the Board within 60 days with associated costs and an implementation plan.

2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to work with County Counsel and the public safety group to explore the feasibility of setting up a secure and restricted web site that will allow only San Diego County residents to access sex offender information on-line, and return to the Board within 60 days with associated costs and an implementation plan.

3. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to draft a letter for the Chair's signature, requesting support from our local State Delegation to expand Megan's Law to allow out of State military to have access to Megan's Law information when they are relocating.

4. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to work with County Counsel to explore the legal feasibility of making available the street names where registered sex offenders reside, and report back to the Board within 60 days.

5. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to work with County Counsel and the public safety group to explore the feasibility of increasing the distribution of Megan's Law information to the public, including methods that are being practiced in other jurisdictions, and return to the Board within 60 days with associated costs and an implementation plan.

Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this request.

BACKGROUND
Megan's Law was enacted in 1996 to make available to the public certain information on the whereabouts of dangerous sex offenders. Megan's Law is named after Megan Kanka, a seven year old girl from New Jersey who was raped and killed by a known child molester. Megan's parents were unaware that a violent sexual offender had moved across the street. California residents who are over the age of 18, have a valid drivers license and are not themselves a registered sex offender, can view information on "serious" and "high-risk" sex offenders in their community on a CD-ROM by visiting local sheriff or police departments.

Currently, the information on a registered sex offender includes:

  • Name and known aliases
  • Age and sex
  • Physical description, including scars, marks and tatoos
  • Photograph, if available
  • Crimes resulting in registration
  • County of residence
  • Zip code

Unfortunately, this information is not available over the internet. Parents need easy access to this information and may be unaware that a CD-ROM is available for their use. Although there is current litigation over unrestricted availability over the internet, there may be ways to allow parents to find out the approximate location of registered sex offenders and obtain on-line the personal information that is available on the CD-ROM. One concept could be the use of a required on-line registration and password to prevent unrestricted access to the database of sex offenders. Subsequent to registration, a parent would be e-mailed
a password for access.

The Cities of Fresno, Fremont, Fairfield and Santa Rosa have set up a mapping program to show the approximate location of registered sex offenders within a ½ mile of every school campus in the City. Parents
should be made aware that in some instances, an inordinate number of sex offenders live very close to schools. At the very least, this same kind of mapping system should be made available to San Diego County residents.

Currently, a San Diego County resident can look up registered sex offenders by zip code. Unfortunately, concerned parents have no way of knowing what street a sex offender lives on. In some areas, one zip code
can span an entire city. This information must be narrowed so that parents have a better understanding of a sex offender's location. In addition, out-of-state military are not permitted access to information on the CD-ROM because they currently do not reside here. Changes are needed to enhance Megan's Law so that parents can find out what street a sex offender lives on and relocating military personnel can have access to Megan's Law information.

Today's action will direct the Chief Administrative Officer to put information of registered sex offenders on the County's web page by setting up a mapping system and exploring the establishment of a secure and restricted web site. In addition, the County will be urging legislators to enhance Megan's Law so that parents can better protect their children. I urge your support.

Respectfully submitted,


DIANNE JACOB
Supervisor, Second District