Fresno City College staff and faculty members have a new tool at their disposal, and it’s just a click away.
The FCC PC 290 Registrant Listing website is a new way FCC instructors, counselors an administrators can look up students who might be registered sex offenders.
Chief of Police Joseph Callahan stated that the site went into effect approximately six months ago.
Staff and faculty members use their network log in password, making it difficult for students to access such confidential information.
Students who are interested in looking up offenders in their neighborhood can go to meganslaw.ca.gov
The Megan’s law home web address lists more than 63,000 persons registered as sex offenders in California.
The Assembly bill 488 (Nicole Parra) is a new law sponsored by the Attorney General, which now provides the public with Internet access to detailed information on registered sex offenders.
This is the first time the public has access to such information through their personal computers.
You could only look up information on sex offenders by going to the police stations and sheriff offices or by calling a 900 toll- number.
The Assembly bill was given the final go by the Legislature on August 24, 2004 and signed by the Governor on September 25, 2004.
Megan’s law is named after seven-year-old Megan Kanka, a New Jersey girl who was raped and murdered by a known child molester who moved across the street from her.
Megan’s family didn’t know this man lived across from them. In the aftermath of little Megan’s premature death, the Kankas sought to have local communities warned about sex offenders in the area, this is now known as the Megan Law.
To locate offenders, you can search by specific name, address, city, county, parks and schools.
According to Callahan having sex offenders on campus isn’t a high risk or a compromise to student safety.
Students who are registered are closely monitored; some cannot be around students and some cannot be around the Internet. Because of these restrictions, accommodations are made to these students.
“This information is not to be abused,” stated Callahan “It’s used to protect students.”
According to Callahan any staff or faculty member who is caught posting pictures of offenders will face serious consequences; they will face termination of their job or arrest.The warning on the website cautions against printing any documents or photos; all information is confidential.
Every one who is currently registered is at a high/serious threat level.
Crimes that we’re committed range from sexual assault on a underage male and female to sexual assault on the developmentally disabled.
” I wouldn’t go on the site or look to see if I have a student registered as an offender,” stated Dr. MaryAnn Valentino-Singer, Psychology Instructor “I’m equally cautious, versus being paranoid. There are probably people equally dangerous, and they’re not on the website.”
So far, there have been no complaints or arrests. Chief Callahan urges students who feel they are being harassed, to visit the FCC Police and they will make sure the situation is taken care of.
According to Callahan, even those listed on the site should still be treated with respect and humanity. Chief Callahan states that they are trying to better themselves and further their education.
