Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Brooke Walker ReportingStatewide efforts are underway to improve the accuracy of the Utah Sex offenders registry. One agency is leading the way, and now parents have a new tool to protect their children.
It's been a busy month for the Utah County Sex Crimes Task Force. They hope their efforts will send a message.
Arrest after arrest...
Lisa Ricci, Utah County Sex Offender Coordinator: "Checked on 17 non-compliant registrants. Out of those 17, 11 we have arrested."
The most recent arrest was 35-year old Lonnie David Forbes. A convicted sex offender, Forbes failed to register a new address. He told police he didn't think he needed to worry about it anymore. But police are worried.
Sgt. Shawn Chipman, Utah County Sheriff's Dept.: "I think they just think they can get away with it. I don't think they understand that we mean business.
"We've taken the approach that if you are in non-compliance you will be charged."
Lisa Ricci: "It's an effort to let them know we are out there as a task force."
They're out enforcing new procedures. The task force now checks jail-booking logs daily and goes door to door, tracking down past offenders. Their aim is accuracy. And that's something new technology depends on.
Just this week, California-based company CATS Communication announced a new cell phone. The phone will use a GPS tracking device to alert parents when their child is walking near a sexual predator's home.
Authorities say while this new technology is a step in the right direction, it's only as accurate as the registry.
Lisa Ricci: "It's important to keep the children safe. And if the community is aware of who is living next door, they can protect the children."
That GPS technology will be available at any Nextel store in the next couple of months.
