DES MOINES —
Crime victims who want to know when a registered sex offender moves locations, or anyone who wants information on sex offenders moving into or out of designated areas, can now register for real-time notifications through a new addition to the state’s sex offender registry website.
The new option, called “Offender Watch,” enables crime victims and others to receive a confidential automatic notification via phone or text message of a registered sex offender’s change in residence when the offender notifies the state of the change. An email notification system has been available for several years. In fact, last fiscal year the sex offender web site sent more than 280,000 email notifications to users on the movements and changes in relevant information made by offenders.
The addition of the mobile notifications gives users the ability to stay with information as they move. “As technology changes, we strive to change with it,” says Division of Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Terry Cowman.
Offender Watch also notifies users when a convicted sex offender moves in or out of an area defined by the user. Registered users can set up a "watch" using an address and a specified distance around that address. Users will receive text, voice, or email notices each time a registered sex offender moves into or out of that area, or moves to a new location within that area. Users may also create watches based on a city, county, zip code, or a specific registrant or group of registrants.
The Iowa Sex Offender Registry was established in 1995. Anyone convicted or adjudicated of a criminal offense against a minor, sexual exploitation, or a sexually violent crime or who was on probation, parole, or work release status, or who was incarcerated on or after July 1, 1995 is required to register. Those who received a deferred sentence or deferred judgment also must register, as must those with convictions from other jurisdictions, including convictions from other state courts or the federal courts.
Currently, more than 5,700 convicted sex offenders are registered on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry. In fiscal year 2012, offenders registered more than 3,400 address changes.
To sign up for Offender Watch or learn more about the Iowa Sex Offender registry go to www.IowaSexOffender.com.
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