NJ: Sex offender registry online.

February 22, 2002

TRENTON -- More than seven years after young Megan Kanka was raped and murdered by a convicted sex offender living across the street from her Hamilton home, a state registry of sex offenders went online yesterday with their photos as well as descriptions of the crimes they committed.

The online registry, a provision of Megan's Law, allows Web users to search for a possible sex offender by county, using a name or certain physical characteristics.

Versions of Megan's Law were passed in the state and across the nation after the 7-year-old's death in July 1994, but court rulings have delayed the registry and forced the state to keep details like an offender's address private.

The online registry drew praise from Megan Kanka's mother, Maureen. "I'm very pleased that the registry is now on the Internet," said Maureen Kanka, who looked at the Web site for the first time yesterday.

"It's a big step in the right direction and will be a good tool for parents to help protect their children."


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Source: © 2002 New Jersey Online