(PRWEB) September 26, 2005 -- On August 25, 2005, Indianapolis based Family Watchdog launched the next generation parental tool to alert families to the presence of sexual offenders who live nearby. The website www.familywatchdog.us offers a free service to locate and map registered sex offenders.
“ Visitor feedback indicates that we have already stopped registered sex offenders from perpetrating new crimes against unknowing victim... ”
A map of offenders home and work locations within a radius of five miles of any address entered by the visitor is created and can be viewed in one of two formats, either a street map or aerial photos of viewing area, with icons for schools and playgrounds. Each offender's home is shown on a map, identified according to the nature of the offence committed, and one click will reveal the offenders picture, name, address, employer, and convictions.
Family watchdog executive Steve Roddel said “Over 600,000 visitors have used our free service in the last month. Visitor feedback indicates that we have already stopped registered sex offenders from perpetrating new crimes against unknowing victims.”
Family Watchdog was created to fill numerous gaps in official state registries and reporting systems. “We have developed both a community notification and law enforcement tool that surpasses anything available today” said Roddel.
Family watchdog gives parents peace of mind as children prepare for Halloween walks around the neighborhood. Visitors can see offenders that live near schools, bus stops and other areas where children gather. Women can identify those offenders who live and in some cases work near their place of employment, shopping malls and other places they frequent.
Family watchdog is not restrained by the in-state only offender registry which limits everyone, including law enforcement in knowing who and where sex offenders in neighboring states are located. “Our system allows everyone to look across state lines and view the offenders who live nearby. Many offenders travel back and forth across state lines and some even work in neighboring states, and until now, no one knew they were there,” said Roddel.
As of today, Family Watchdog serves close to 70 percent of the United States with the most populated states already in the system. The company believes that by October 20, 2005, the system will be nationwide offering service to all states. Family Watchdog has been well supported by elected officials and law enforcement representatives from several counties in the Midwest. Reference contacts include:
Indiana State Senator Jeff Drozda 317-232-9455
Vigo County (Indiana) Sheriff John Marvel 812-462-3226
Marion County (Indianapolis) Sheriff Frank Anderson 317-231-8206
Sheriff Anderson in a statement to the press on August 25, 2005 said, “Our children are the flowers of our garden and its Law Enforcements job to keep that garden weeded. I welcome Family watchdog's approach to enhance our efforts. Our entire community must rise to the challenge to protect our kids. Family Watchdog sets a great example in this regard.”
www.familywatchdog.us
About Family Watchdog:
Family Watchdog was founded by Steve Roddel of Westfield, Indiana after a failed attempt to locate a known sex offender in the state database. Steve found an incredible need to provide easily accessible information to the public on the known whereabouts of convicted sexual offenders. The investment to provide this information for the citizens of Indiana will exceed $500,000 per year and the annual cost for the national website expected to exceed $ 4,000,000. Family Watchdog hopes to offset these amounts through corporate sponsorships and subscriptions to the backside of the websites additional security services. By December 2005, Family Watchdog expects to serve over 250,000 visitors per day. In September, Family Watchdog contracted with DC Consulting, LLC of Indianapolis to handle all Public Relations and Media.
