Pennsylvania's Registry Rated Sub Par

November 28, 2005

Pennsylvania recently received a "failing" grade for its sex offender registry on the Parents for Meghan's Law website. The site's executive director, Laura A. Ahearn, stated that a registry needs to provide more details in order to help citizens protect themselves.

The Pennsylvania registry only provides street addresses for the sexually violent predators, which constitute a very small percentage of the state's predators. The state also fails to provide information about the age or gender of the victims, or even the nature of the crime.

According to Lt. Janet McNeal, head of Pennsylvania's Megan's Law Enforcement, the database includes everything state law will allow. McNeal admitted that it is difficult for Pennsylvanians to get information which is easily accessed by citizens of other states.

When asked how the situation would be improved, McNeal stated that it is now up to legislators to change the law. She said that if Pennsylvania could post the addresses of all sex offenders, the problems surrounding the registry would be solved.

MapSexOffenders.com is currently unable to map Pennsylvania, and we encourage citizens to contact their legislators and encourage them to change the state's laws.

For more information see the PostGazette.com.