Thursday, April 12, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Highlights Investment in GPS Technology to Help Safeguard Children from Predators
JEFFERSON CITY– Gov. Matt Blunt today highlighted the state's investment in global positioning satellite (GPS) technology as a tool to track paroled offenders. Tough new sexual predator laws the governor signed dictate that the tracking technology will ultimately be used statewide to help protect children from sexual predators.
"I have pushed for strong laws and tough penalties to ensure Missouri takes the lead to protect our children from sexual predators," Gov. Blunt said. "Our state's investment in the latest technology reinforces my message to those who prey on young Missourians - stay out of our state, stay away from our children. These crimes will be met with the harshest of penalties and will not be tolerated."
In the last three years, Gov. Blunt has recommended a total of almost $500,000 in funding to introduce and pilot GPS technology as a means to track paroled offenders, including $225,000 for next fiscal year. The program, still in its infancy, is being tested and refined in several counties including Saint Charles, Cole, Moniteau, Osage, St Louis, Miller, Morgan, Harrison, Mercer, Putnam, Grundy, Sullivan, Linn, Chariton, Jefferson, Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Perry, Carter, Wayne, Ripley, Butler, Greene, Lawrence, Webster, Polk, Dallas and Jackson Counties.
"We're very excited about using this new technology to help us supervise sex offenders and enhance public safety," said Department of Corrections Director Larry Crawford. "We appreciate Governor Blunt's leadership in making the investment in technology that will help protect Missouri families."
At an event in the Governor's Capitol office today, officials demonstrated how the GPS system can track offenders' movement. Offenders are outfitted with an ankle transmitter (bracelet) and a miniature tracking device that use Internet and cell phone technology to provide real time information to parole officers about offenders' whereabouts. Even though the system is still in the pilot stage, there are about 20 offenders under the watchful eye of the latest tracking tool.
"In a day and age of accountability, I appreciate Governor Blunt taking the initiative to support the GPS program," said Probation and Parole Board Chairman William Seibert. "All across the United States communities are struggling to find ways to ensure public safety. Missouri is no different in our search to keep our families safe. It takes forward thinking by the right people to provide the valuable tools that will minimize the chances of those who have offended before to have an open unabated opportunity to offend again. The governor's support of this technology provides an opportunity in Missouri for best practices when it comes to monitoring sex offenders. Probation and Parole thanks Governor Blunt for his efforts to keep Missourians safe."
Blunt signed legislation making Missouri one of the first states in the country to mandate lifetime GPS monitoring for criminals convicted of certain sex offenses against children. The law went into effect in August, 2005, and is expected to make an impact on the demand for GPS in the next several years. The cutting edge law complements what has been called one of the toughest sex offender laws in the nation.
The governor's strong leadership ensured Missouri's version of Jessica's Law is a model for other states. It mandates a lifetime sentence with a minimum of 30 years for serious sexual crimes that are committed against young children and calls for certain sex offenders to be monitored their entire lives. The governor has also led the successful effort to expand the state's sexual offender registry and add new tools to make it a more powerful resource for parents and law enforcement officials.
Last year, Blunt signed legislation to create the Cyber Crime Grant Program. This year the governor is asking the General Assembly to double funding for this program and set aside an additional $250,000 for local law enforcement so that they can purchase the equipment they need to apprehend criminals who are using the Internet to prey on Missouri's children. The governor also recently unveiled the INOBTR (I Know Better) campaign to help teach children about the dangers of online predators.