New sex-offender alert system announced

TAMPA -- Law enforcement officials today are announcing a new alert system the public can use to help figure out where sex offenders are in their communities.

Residents can sign up to receive an e-mail alert when a registered sex offender or predator moves into their area, or within a certain mile radius, under the new system announced this morning by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The free service also will allow people to track address changes reported by certain offenders and predators.

"I am proud that Floridians have access to one of the most comprehensive sexual offender and predator registration systems in the nation," said Gov. Charlie Crist. "This sophisticated tracking tool will actively notify citizens of updates of most interest to them and their families."

The new system called the Florida Offender Alert System can be accessed through the FDLE's Web site and the sites of other law enforcement agencies in Florida.

-- Times staff writer