Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Governor Doyle Announces Web Improvements to State’s Sex Offender Registry Available December 1

Home Addresses to be Published as Part of Governor Doyle’s

SAFE Initiative to Keep Public Informed About Sex Offenders

As part of Governor Jim Doyle’s Sex Offender Apprehension and Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Initiative, Wisconsin citizens will be able to access residential address information online for all sex offenders registered with the Department of Corrections’ Sex Offender Registry beginning December 1, 2005.

“Wisconsin parents, grandparents and other members of the public have a right to know who is living on their streets and in their communities, and as part of my SAFE Initiative, the public will have access to this information,” Governor Doyle said. “Together, we must stay vigilant and continue our efforts to improve our system to protect our children and families.”

The Department of Corrections’ Sex Offender Registry Web site, launched in 2001, already contains a wealth of information about the more than 17,800 offenders who are required to register. However, information on where offenders reside has been limited on the public Web site to ZIP code. Under the SAFE Initiative, home addresses will be added to the site starting Dec. 1, 2005. The Web site is located at http://WIDOCOffenders.org.

The Web improvements are a component of Governor Doyle’s SAFE Initiative, a comprehensive effort that involves state, local, and federal partners focused on keeping kids safe by holding sex offenders accountable for their actions, preventing them from becoming anonymous in our communities, and apprehending and prosecuting those sex offenders who fail to notify authorities of their whereabouts, as required by law.

“The registry Web site is designed to be a tool to help keep our communities safe, and publishing the addresses will further enhance the Web site’s effectiveness,” said Wisconsin Department of Corrections Secretary Matthew Frank said. “As state and local law enforcement officials work to hold sex offenders accountable, I encourage parents to make use of the registry Web site to learn more about sex offenders living in their areas, and to use the new ‘SAFE Tip’ hotline to report any violations.”

The new, toll-free hotline was launched in October 2005 for citizens to report information about noncompliant sex offenders to SAFE Teams working to track them down. In addition, callers can learn more about the SAFE Initiative and Wisconsin’s Sex Offender Registry. The “SAFE Tip” hotline is 1-877-234-0085. Calls will be answered by Department of Corrections Sex Offender Registry staff Monday through Friday between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. During non-business hours, a voicemail box will be available to take messages. If the call is urgent, callers are encouraged to contact local law enforcement. In addition to the hotline, the Department of Corrections has also established a “SAFE Tip” email address, docsafetips@doc.state.wi.us. This email address provides citizens another way to provide tips to SAFE Teams, or seek further information about the SAFE Initiative or the Sex Offender Registry. Emails will be answered during normal business hours.

Learn more about Governor Doyle’s SAFE Initiative at: http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/journal_media_detail.asp?prid=1358&locid=19.

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12/01/2005