Using a Map to Spot Sex Convicts

Citing the kidnap-murder of Samantha Runnion and other crimes against children, county officials want to create an interactive map showing the general location of Orange County’s 2,709 sex offenders and place it on the Internet.

The plan, which would allow the public to review the map through the county’s Web site, was proposed by Supervisor Todd Spitzer and is endorsed by Sheriff Michael S. Carona. The Board of Supervisors will vote on the proposal Tuesday, and Spitzer said he hopes to have the system in operation within 30 days.

Under Megan’s law, named for a 7-year-old New Jersey girl who was raped and killed by a paroled sex offender, a database listing sex offenders is available via computers at sheriff stations. To access the information, residents must fill out and sign an application to receive a sex offender’s name, birth date, criminal record and picture--but no address.

Spitzer said the Internet map would make it easier for residents to learn whether sex offenders live in their neighborhood.

“To me, it’s of utmost importance for the public to know where the sex offenders reside,” Spitzer said. “If a crime happens, hopefully this will provide greater protection.”

The system would not provide the sex offender’s name or address. Rather, it would place a marker in the offender’s location. It’s unclear how specific the map would be.

San Diego County recently launched an online map. Officials in Ventura are considering the idea while Los Angeles’ board recently voted to put an online map on its Web site.

But critics worry that the Internet map could lead to more harassment of sex offenders.

“It’s a panacea for the public, and I believe the harassment issue is real,” said Scott Ciment, a Newport Beach criminal defense attorney and legislative advocate for California Attorneys for Criminal Justice.

After going online to view San Diego County’s site, Ciment found that an offender can be located even though the address is not listed. The map places a blue dot over several homes on a block, narrowing down where the offender lives. Ciment is also troubled by the suggestion that Samantha’s abduction could have been prevented by such a system. He pointed out that the man accused in her slaying lived in Riverside County and was not a convicted sex offender.

Spitzer said the Orange County map would warn residents that harassing sex offenders is a crime. And Carona said he believes the map would benefit the public.

“The idea is very, very solid,” the sheriff said.