Sheriff's New Web Site Has Vital Information

The Highlands County Sheriff's Office has updated its Web site - www.highlandssheriff.org. - and that's good news for the public.

The Web site, among other things, connects users to public records, accident reports and requests for background checks by mail.

Perhaps a feature that will be of particular interest to parents and guardians is the link to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's sexual offender and predator Web site, which includes a new sexual offender and predator e-mail alert system, working in conjunction with the FDLE.

To access it, use the sheriff's link or click on the FDLE Web site at www.flsexoffender.net and locate the Florida Offender Alert System.

Enter an address. It can be your home, office, school, bus stop, or any other other location. It can even be in another Florida city. There is no limit to how many addresses a person can monitor.

When a registered sex offender or predator moves into a designated radius of the address, an e-mail alert will go out containing information about the offender and the offender's new address. The system monitors if the predator or offender changes his or her address.

Considering that some horrific cases have taken place in this state in recent years, anything that can be done to help protect our children is appreciated. Citizens need to be aware and the Web is a very useful tool in helping them do that.