Megan’s Law Gets an Update

Public information on the identity and location of registered sex offenders is being updated more frequently and is now available in 13 languages, the state’s top prosecutor told a gathering of law enforcement officials in Oxnard on Wednesday.

The improvements to Megan’s Law, rolled out earlier this month, mean people can learn more quickly about registered sex offenders who may have moved into their neighborhood, Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer said.

Information is now available in several languages, including Spanish, Chinese and Korean.

As 75 law enforcement chiefs from Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties watched, Lockyer demonstrated how a computer program instantly translates information with the touch of a keyboard.

Ventura County Sheriff Bob Brooks, who attended the program, said the changes will help parents who use Megan’s Law to shield their children from contact with sexual offenders.

“We used to rely on an occasional CD-ROM being sent to jurisdictions,” Brooks said. “Now, as soon as the Department of Justice enters information into the system, it’s accessible locally. You will get immediate information on someone who you might be concerned about in your neighborhood.”

The information is now on a Web site that can be accessed by members of the public only under supervision by their local law enforcement agency.

Lockyer outlined the changes to Megan’s Law during a morning session with regional law enforcement officials. The attorney general periodically holds such briefings to learn about local public safety concerns.

The last time he met with the tri-county group was about three years ago, Brooks said.

Megan’s Law was enacted in 1996 to provide public information on the identity and whereabouts of 77,000 serious and high-risk, registered sex offenders in the state.

People can review the information, with supervision, at most sheriff’s stations and police departments in Ventura County, Brooks said.

According to the state attorney general’s office, there are 1,147 registered sex offenders living in Ventura County.

Law enforcement awards also were announced at the meeting, held at the Mandalay Beach Resort hotel.

The Ventura County Salvation Army and Ward Jenssen of Malibu, a psychologist who heads a volunteer research unit for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, were honored for exemplary public service.