17 August 2005

Governor takes action to protect Kansans from sex offenders

TOPEKA, Kan – In an effort to protect Kansas families, Governor Kathleen Sebelius today took action to increase scrutiny and monitoring of sex offenders and prevent these criminals from ever hurting another victim.

“As Governor, one of my most important responsibilities is to protect Kansas’ children, families, and communities. To keep them safe from harm, and punish those who do them harm. That’s a responsibility I take very seriously. As the mother of two sons, the security of all Kansas children is very personal to me. And keeping Kansans safe means cracking down on sex offenders, especially those who prey on our children,” Governor Sebelius said.

At the Governor’s direction, state law enforcement agencies have linked their computer databases to better track sex offenders. Governor Sebelius is requesting the Kansas Bureau of Investigation immediately join that effort with the Department of Corrections and Community Corrections, because “the safety of Kansans, particularly our children, simply can’t wait.”

Local law enforcement officers will be notified of any discrepancy in the records, such as different addresses for a single offender, so that officers can investigate and make sure the offender isn’t violating the law.

Governor Sebelius also said new laws are needed, and she called for a minimum age to marry in Kansas as a way to protect children from abuse.

“We’ve been taking action to protect Kansans. Just this year we toughened penalties for criminals who prey on children. But more can be done. The Attorney General and I have been calling for two years for harsher sentences for sexual predators and still the Legislature has failed to act,” Sebelius said. “It’s high-time they follow our lead and take steps to protect every Kansas family. This is a matter of personal and community safety that ought to rise above petty politics.”