FDLE launches e-mail alert system for sex offenders

FDLE launches e-mail alert system for sex offenders

Residents can now be notified when sex offenders or predators move into their neighborhood. The program that will provide e-mail alert notifications is offered by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at no charge.

Local law enforcement is the front line for protecting Florida’s communities and we’re always looking for ways to work together to bolster public safety," said Baker County Sheriff Joey Dobson.

"Local law enforcement is the front line for protecting Florida’s communities and we’re always looking for ways to work together to bolster public safety," said Baker County Sheriff Joey Dobson, President of the Florida Sheriffs Association. "This system will be used to alert millions of Florida families to the arrival of sexual offenders and predators in their neighborhoods, and is truly an example of maximizing today’s technology to safeguard our citizens."

FDLE unveiled the new and innovative feature on Florida’s Sexual Offender/Predator Registry Web site last week. Citizens can now sign up to receive the e-mail notices and can also opt to track address changes reported by selected registered offenders or predators. The website is www.flsexof fender.net, and it currently contains data on more than 47,000 registered sex offenders and predators.

"I can’t offer our citizens a better example of the use of today’s technology by state and local law enforcement," said FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey. "We can’t knock on everyone’s front door, but we can deliver information to everyone’s desktop."

FDLE developed the notification service at the direction of the Florida Legislature as part of the state’s compliance with the federal Adam Walsh Act. Citizens may select an unlimited number of addresses and/or offenders and predators to track, and can update their selections at any time. The alert system will send e-mail notifications within 24 to 48 hours of an address change to the state’s registry.

The Florida Offender Alert System is offered through FDLE’s Web site and the sites of a number of local law enforcement agencies throughout the state. Additional law enforcement agencies are providing portals and links to the Alert System every day. Citizens are encouraged to visit their local law enforcement agency’s Web site first to register for alerts and access local safety information. Several law enforcement agencies already have in place similar notification systems.