News Release - Crist, FDLE Unveil Improved Sexual Offender Website

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Attorney General Charlie Crist News Release

May 17, 2005

en Español

Print Version

Media Contact: Sandi Copes
Phone: (850) 245-0150

Crist, FDLE Unveil Improved Sexual Offender Website

New feature will allow for more specific locations

TALLAHASSEE - Attorney General Charlie Crist and Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Guy Tunnell today unveiled an enhanced state website feature that for the first time lets parents and other Floridians zero in on registered sex offenders and predators who live nearby. The sexual offender website, which is maintained by FDLE, now offers the ability for citizens to more easily identify sexual predators and offenders living in or around their specific neighborhood or local schools.

With almost 35,000 registered sex offenders and predators, the FDLE database is one of the largest of its kind in the nation. Over the past 10 years, FDLE has provided a website giving Floridians the ability to search for sex offenders by zip code, county, city or name. As of today, the updated site now includes a user-friendly NeighborhoodTrac search system developed by Pitney Bowes to give parents and others a more targeted search area ranging up to five miles. Pitney Bowes Chairman and CEO Michael Critelli joined Crist and Tunnell at an event unveiling the new system.

"This new feature, which will allow parents to search specific areas near their home, child's school or neighborhood park, should greatly assist parents who are trying to protect their children," said Crist. "Pitney Bowes is an example of a good corporate citizen contributing to the safety of our communities."

The improvements to the website are the result of a new software program recently donated to the State of Florida by Pitney Bowes. The software, called the Group 1 NeighborhoodTrac Family Protection System, makes it much easier for Florida parents to identify registered sex offenders and predators living within a five-mile radius of any specific location. The total value of the system, including software, maintenance, database subscriptions and professional services, is approximately $647,000.

This enhanced search capability comes at a time when the state has experienced a dramatic increase in public use of the FDLE sexual offender search database, the result of recent tragic cases involving several Florida children victimized by convicted sex offenders.

"The number of visits to our Web site has soared in recent months. We are encouraged to know that more citizens are aware and using this important safety tool," FDLE Commissioner Tunnell said. "The enhancements we are unveiling today will help parents and law enforcement do a better job of protecting innocent citizens across our state."

Added Pitney Bowes' Critelli, "We are pleased to be a part of this public-private collaboration. Harnessing Pitney Bowes powerful expertise to address the State of Floridas large database of registered sex offenders will deliver a new level of security, safety and service to families across the state. This will clearly continue Florida's leadership position on this important issue."

The enhanced website also offers an option for users to generate a map of each sex offender's registered address, providing Floridas parents and children with a quick and more visual way to identify where sex offenders live nearby.

The website enhancements, implemented today, can be accessed through the Attorney General's home page at http://myfloridalegal.com or the FDLE home page at http://www.fdle.state.fl.us. These links also lead to information about Florida sexual offender and predator registration laws, highlighted offenders who are wanted for failure to register, and other related informational links.