PIKE COUNTY, Ala. (WSFA) – Pike County sheriff’s deputies are showing off new technology that helps them keep track of convicted sex offenders.
This technology – funded by the U.S. Justice Department – helped to digitize registered sex offender records.
Pike County currently has 117 sex offenders, with 73 required to check in with authorities. That’s why the district attorney’s office and Pike County Sheriff’s Office are using this new technology to maintain their database.
Pike County District Attorney James Tarbox said the database helps because he believes convicted sex offenders are prone to being repeat offenders.
The process used to be more tedious. Every sex offender has to report to their sheriff’s office three times a year. Some repeat offenders, or those who move around frequently, have to check in more frequently. That’s why it’s important to have this technology to prevent any confusion in the paperwork.
That paperwork is now stored online, meaning deputies can access it while on patrol via an iPad.
“I would have to take paperwork with me, files to check out in the field. This way, I don’t have to. The iPad will connect to the internet in our vehicles,” said Lt. Sean Smith.
The U.S. Justice Department grant that made it possible was offered to all district attorneys in Alabama. Tarbox says it helps keep his community informed.
“It is important that we keep our community safe, whether it be an adult sex offender who has victimized an adult or whether it be somebody who’s victimized a child. We need people to know who’s living around them so that they can be aware,” said Tarbox.
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