State unveils sex offender website

Mark R. Madler

A new state-created database of sexual offenders lists more than 60

convicted offenders living in the city.

The Megan’s Law website can search for offenders by name, city,

county, ZIP Codes, or whether they live near a school or park. The

website went online Dec. 15 and within the first five days the site

received about 14 million hits, said a spokeswoman with the state

attorney general’s office.

“The attorney general’s office feels this is important information

that should be available to all state residents,” Mariam Bedrosian

said. “With it they can be aware and educate themselves and their

families to protect themselves.

Burbank Police spokesman Jay Jette said the information at the

site should be used responsibly by the public.

“It’s our wish, and that of the attorney general, that the

information be used to educate the public and not as a way to target

the individuals in the database,” Jette said.

The site is updated every 24 hours with information provi- ded by

local police and sheriffs’ departments, where offenders are required

to register.

The Burbank department has an officer who is specifically assigned

to keeping their registration information current, Jette said.

“Any time they move or change employment they have to update their

registration or re-register with the law enforcement where they

reside,” Jette said.

Offenders listed at the site are identified with photos,

information on their addressed and offense, and distinguishing

tattoos or marks.

Only those who committed acts with children younger than 14, used

violence and have been deemed to be sexually violent predators by the

court have full disclosure including address at the site, Bedrosian

said.