Rebecca Wolf – Red Bluff Daily News
RED BLUFF ? A program new to California and designed to keep the public informed of the whereabouts of sex offenders was officially launched on Tuesday, a day earlier than expected.
Tehama County is the first in California to offer the program, known as Offender Watch, that expands on Megan”s Law. Offender Watch is in use by over 200 sheriffs in 20 other states.
The Tehama County Sheriff”s Department Web site is now linked to Offender Watch, which will notify people who sign up of offenders” name, physical description and photographs as well as a map to show the approximate location of offenders” residences.
“This new system will enable anyone with an Internet connection to search for registered sex offenders within the unincorporated Tehama County areas by name, city or address,” Sheriff Clay Parker said in a statement released Tuesday. “… It”s all about keeping our children safe.”
The program does not include the cities of Red Bluff or Corning.
Offender Watch allows people to sign up to receive e-mails about or search for sex offenders registered within one mile of whatever address they choose ? including homes, schools and parks.
California”s Megan”s Law, similar to a form of the law in all states, provides the public with certain information on the whereabouts of sex offenders so that members of our local communities may protect themselves and their children. Megan”s Law is named after 7-year-old Megan Kanka, a New Jersey girl who was raped and killed by a known child molester who had moved across the street from the family without their knowledge.
The Red Bluff Daily News is a member of the MediaNews Group News Service.
