Administration Announces New Computer System to Track Sex Offenders
State House News Service
       Massachusetts becomes the first state in the nation next month to use a new computer database for 50 local police departments to better track sex offenders. The LocatePLUS data system is the central part of the state's $50,000 pilot project for local police officials to access more individual data and obtain the most up-to-date information on a sex offender.
       According to the administration, the new tool will enable police officials to track unregistered sex offenders, or those who do not update their address, as required by law. There are currently 8,754 registered sex offenders in the state, and 4,784 offenders are either unregistered or otherwise violating the state law.
       "The law requires sex offenders to notify law enforcement of their address, but as we know, this honor system is not enough," said Public Safety Secretary Edward Flynn in a statement. "Tools like Locate Plus are critical to helping police keep children and families safe from harm." Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey and Flynn unveiled the new system at a press conference in Lowell today.