Registry Honored as Best in the Nation

JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Matt Blunt today announced Missouri’s Sex Offender Registry earned top marks from TopTenREVIEWS Inc. The reviewer named Missouri’s registry the best in the nation, awarding it the only “gold medal” in the country.

“We have an obligation to do all we can to protect the safety of Missouri’s children from sexual predators. That is why I have made the safety of Missouri’s children a priority for my administration, ”Gov. Blunt said. “It is vital that we provide Missouri parents with the most current and detailed information regarding sexual offenders. I am very pleased that the steps we have taken to improve Missouri’s Sex Offender Registry have stood out compared to what other states have done to inform their citizens about offenders in their neighborhoods.”

The reviewer for TopTenREVIEWS Inc. used five categories to rank the nation’s sex offender registries. The categories and reviewer’s comments are:

• Information Provided – “The Missouri State Highway Patrol Sex Offender Registry provides all of the information you need to know about offenders to protect yourself and your family.”     
• Search Functions – “The search box remains in the left navigation bar making it easy to change your search criteria or perform a new search.”     
• Additional Site Features – “In addition to profiles, this website also maps the location of sex offenders, offers printable pages and safety tips.”     
• Ease Of Use – “The tabbed system and permanent search box makes finding the information you need quick and easy.”      
• Contact Information – “You are able to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol (they are the agency in charge of the registry) by phone or e-mail. The FAQs page has answers to common questions.”      

Reviewers for TopTenREVIEWS Inc. describe Missouri’s sex offender registry site as having a clean interface and powerful search box that is easy to navigate. The reviewer’s summary describes the Missouri State Highway Patrol Sex Offender Registry as, “easy to use and full of important information. Whether you’re a concerned parent, teacher, or suspicious of a date, protect yourself and your family–be informed.”

Missouri’s sex offender database was established in 1995 to give the public access (through their local sheriff’s department) to information concerning persons registered as sexual offenders. In 2004, the sex offender registry was placed on the Internet for the public to view convicted sex offender information.

Gov. Blunt has worked to expand and enhance the registry to make it a useful tool forMissouri families. The most recent enhancements he enacted added information regarding name(s) including aliases, date(s) of birth, more physical descriptive information including tattoos, home/work/school addresses, vehicle information of those that are either owned or operated by the offender, complete offense information including conviction/plea and victim age, confinement information, and whether they are in compliance with the registration requirements were enhanced or added. More updated photographs are now available, and the registry also includes a mapping function that maps the listed offender addresses.

Those without Internet access can obtain registry information through the toll free number 1-888-SOR-MSHP (1-888-767-6747). Employees of the Missouri State Highway Patrol answer this number Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

“The Missouri Legislature recognized the importance of creating and maintaining a state Sex Offender Registry, and assigned this task to the Patrol,” said Colonel James F. Keathley, superintendent of the

Missouri State Highway Patrol. “The Sex Offender Registry is one way our agency can get important information to the public. I invite you to visit our web site at www.mshp.dps.mo.gov and choose the “sex offender registry” button on the information bar at the top of the page. Be informed and protect yourself and your loved ones. The Patrol is proud of its long history of service and protection and will continue to review and enhance this site as necessary.”

Earlier this month the governor announced his support for a new initiative to strengthen the registry even further. The legislation would require convicted sex offenders to submit their e-mail addresses, Instant Messaging names, and any other electronic identifiers to the sex offender registry. The information would then be available to help parents and law enforcement keep our children safe from sexual predators. Registered sex offenders would only be allowed to use email addresses or other Internet based identifiers that they provide to the sex offender registry.