Fletcher Legislation to Protect Against Sexually Violent Predators Passes First Committee Hurdle
The Assembly Public Safety Committee voted today to move forward Assembly Bill 1022 (AB 1022), legislation that gives county governments authority to notify residents by email alert, changes in residency by registered sexual offenders. This legislation will enhance community awareness of violent predators, improve community safety and help keep children safe.
Authored by Fletcher and sponsored by the County of San Diego, AB 1022 would allow county governments to create web-based subscription services by which residents can receive email alerts about changes in residency for more than 2,800 sex offenders currently registered in San Diego County. AB 1022 would provide improved access to sex offender information including an offender’s name, a photo, offense(s), and address – all directly to a person’s email inbox.
“Sexually violent predators obviously pose a significant threat to the safety of our communities. Information plays a key role in crime prevention and reducing risk,” stated Fletcher. “This legislation will go a long way toward ensuring that San Diegans are informed about those that live in and around their neighborhoods.”
Currently, providing registered sex offender information to the public is at the discretion of local law enforcement agencies. Only information that is deemed necessary for public safety is provided, meaning that pertinent information could be withheld from residents. Local agency notification of lower level sex offender residency changes is not currently legal.
AB 1022 now moves to the Appropriations Committee and then to the Assembly Floor. AB 1022 requires a majority vote by both the Assembly and the Senate. If passed, residents could subscribe for email alerts through the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department website as soon as 2012.
“By giving people better access to information, AB 1022 could be a preemptive measure to tragedy,” said Fletcher. “We can’t stop every crime from happening, but we can definitely try.”
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