Web site offers tool to track lawbreakers in Cherokee County

June 07, 2009 09:33 am

— By Roger McKinney
rmckinney@joplinglobe.com
COLUMBUS, Kan. — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department has established a Web site that allows users to more easily track sexual, violent and drug offenders who are registered with the state.
Users may access the site at www.sheriffalerts.com/ks/cherokee. It allows users to type in their home address, or that of a school, park or other or property. The site presents a map that includes information and locations of offenders within two miles, one mile, a half mile or a quarter mile.
Sheriff David Groves said that when users enter their e-mail address, they will be notified when an offender moves within their notification radius.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation also maintains a Web site listing registered offenders, but Groves said that requires users to check it regularly for changes.
“I think it will give them a little bit of peace of mind,” Groves said of the new Web site. “This lets people pick specific locations and tells them what kind of offenders are living in the area.”
Groves said there are 53 registered offenders in Cherokee County.
Typing in a random address on High School Avenue in Columbus produced information for 11 offenders within two miles and seven offenders within one mile. There were none within a half mile.
A random address on 25th Street in Baxter Springs resulted in information on 12 offenders within two miles and nine within a mile. There were three within a half mile, but none within a quarter mile.
The Web site provides a photo and description of the offenders, their addresses and whether they are compliant or not with the state registry.
Galena police Chief Larry Delmont said the Web site will be a useful tool for residents and police. He said he is often questioned by residents about whether sex offenders live in certain neighborhoods.
“I think it’s very important that people know who’s in their area,” Delmont said. “It makes it easier for all of us. The technology is getting more advanced and that’s going to help us out in the future.”