Proposed legislation, new Web site aimed at sex offenders

By Mike Smith Associated Press Friday, August 26, 2005

INDIANAPOLIS -- More convicted sex offenders would be prohibited from living within 1,000 feet of schools or day cares under legislation a state senator plans to introduce next session.Republican state Sen. Jeff Drozda of Westfield and police also announced support Thursday for a new Web site they say is easier to navigate and will allow people to be notified if a sex offender moves within five miles of an address. It includes detailed maps of where sex offenders live, aerial photographs of areas and schools locations.Hamilton County resident Steve Roddel developed the Web site through a Westfield-based organization called Family Watchdog. A link to it could be included on a state sex offender registry run by the Indiana Sheriffs Association, said Marion County Sheriff Frank Anderson.Anderson said the proposed legislation and Web site would help the public and police better track convicted sex offenders and protect children from predators."These children are flowers, and there's a lot of weeds out there trying to snuff them out," he said.Under current law, convicted sex offenders on parole or probation are prohibited from living within a mile of their victim and within 1,000 feet of schools or day cares. Drozda's bill would prohibit that regardless of probation or parole status."In talking with a lot of these people on the front lines, it makes no sense whether you are on probation or on parole, the bottom line is you committed a heinous crime," Drozda said.Officials said of 8,000 registered sex offenders in Indiana, 1,200 live close to schools or day cares. Drozda said it was unlikely his legislation would force those people to move.The bill also will require state agencies such as the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the Family and Social Services Administration, Department of Correction and Department of Revenue to work more closely with the Indiana Sheriffs Association in updating the state's registry.Family Watchdog has created a Web site --http://www.familywatchdog.us -- that police and child advocates at Thursday's news conference said was more useful and easier to navigate.The Sheriffs Association registry Web site allows people to type in the name of counties, cities and streets, but then it simply provides a list of names of people registered in those areas. It sometimes includes numerous names, and to find out their address and other information, one must click on each name.The new Web site allows someone to type in a city and street address and view a map that pinpoints the location of all registered offenders within a five-mile radius. By clicking a blip indicating sex offenders, it can provide their photos, addresses and the nature of their offense.It also can provide aerial photographs of the area so the public and police can easily identify where parks, wooded areas and lakes are located. Viewing the information is free.A person will be able to pay an annual fee of $18, choose three addresses, and the service will notify that person by e-mail if a registered offender moves into or out of a five-mile radius. The organization is working on a phone notification system for those who do not have e-mail.Roddel said the Web site is in 11 states, and the goal is to have it operating in 42 by October. It relies on public agencies and other means for information and hopes to partner with and receive funding from several sources, including nonprofit groups and state and federal agencies.