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Modern Technology Helps Protect Children From Sexual Predators

POSTED: Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Another component of the Jessica Lunsford Act has been put into place. Modern technology will help better protect children from sexual predators by making it easier to keep track of them.

On Tuesday, the 13 Northeast Florida Sheriff's Offices learned to employ new technology in the fight to keep children safe from sexual predators.

The new system allows them to develop a stronger database of updated pictures and electronic signatures from offenders, and protect the community.

"It gives us immediate editing of our database. Every six months we get new photographs of offenders and we get the their electronic signatures, so when we go into the courts to prosecute these cases if they fail to register it makes it a stronger case," said FDLE Special Agent Dominick Pape.

Lt. Greg Foster Nassau County Sheriff's Office is charged with keeping track of more than 100 offenders in his county alone and the new technology will make it easier for him to do his job.

"The electronic system is easy to use, it's going to allow us to enter the information quicker and provide it to FDLE quicker. It also allows us to keep an updated list of where the sexual offender has moved and their temporary address," Foster said.

Beginning December first offenders will be required to register twice a year to the sheriff's office in the county where he or she lives. If they fail to register, it will be considered a felony.

"One of the issues was that the offenders or predator said they didn't know they had to register. The form shows them exactly when they have to register again, what they are signing for, what all their responsibilities are and puts the onus on them to do the right thing," Pape said.

The bottom line is while the onus is still on the offender to register, given the new technology if somebody does not register the FDLE and local sheriff's offices are ready to go after them.

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