- Q. How is the National Alert Registry database compiled?
- A. National Alert Registry aggregates data pertaining to convicted sex offenders from the various state registries. These records are catalogued in our database and made available to National Alert Registry members via our suite of online applications. These applications employ state-of-the-art database, GIS mapping technologies, and e-mail alert facilities to keep our members informed as to the reported locations of dangerous sexual predators and other registered offenders. National Alert Registry relies solely on the reporting of the various state registries to maintain our database. We do not take other submissions to our database or alter the public records provided by the various state registries in any way. Our aggregating, indexing, and display technologies allow us the publish the offender data in a more usable form, but the sex offender data themselves are a matter of public record and are made available by the states in accordance with state and federal statutes.
- Q. How accurate are the data in the National Alert Registry database?
- A. There are several issues here. Firstly, it is certainly conceivable
that an individual state sex offender registry may introduce certain errors
into the National Alert Registry database. Typographical and other data
input errors are always a possibility. As National Alert Registry does not
intentionally alter the original public records in any way, we would reproduce
defects in the source data. Most state registries are quick to correct such
errors and as soon as the source repository is corrected, the National Alert
Registry database is likewise updated. Unless National Alert Registry has
made a formatting error in the display of the source information, it will be
necessary to contact the originating state registry in order to have an
erroneous record corrected. We are happy to assist in such situations. If
you feel a record is in error, please contact records@nationalalertregistry.com
and we will provide the source of the record in question and contact information
for the source repository.
It is also possible that certain elements of a correctly-reproduced sex offender record may be incorrect. For example, a particular offender record may have a valid name and offense description but contain an erroneous physical address. It is important to understand that the reporting and verification requirements for registered sex offenders vary from state-to-state. Many states do not have the resources to verify the registration information provided by the offender. As such, it is possible for an offender to register with the appropriate law enforcement agency but provide a fake address. It is also possible that an offender may move from one location to another and fail to report this change of address to the proper authorities in either the original or destination jurisdictions.
Because of the shortcomings of the current sex offender registration regime, it is necessary to bear the above in mind and we encourage you to avail yourself often of the benefits of your National Alert Registry membership. Check the database often: local law enforcement across the United States are always working to keep these data as complete and accurate as possible!
- Q. How often is the National Alert Registry database updated?
- A. The National Alert Registry database is updated several times each month. The individual state sex offender registries which supply National Alert Registry with public records are updated at various times -- some weekly or monthly on a set schedule and others on an ongoing basis as new data become available. The National Alert Registry database is generally synchronized with the individual sources at least once monthly (often with a greater frequency) but occasionally, due to technical difficulties or the unavailability of usable raw data, it may take longer than the norm for a state's records to be updated in our database.
- Q. Which states are not covered by the National Alert Registry?
- A. At the time of this publication (3 April 2006), data for the following states were not available: Hawaii, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota.
- Q. Why isn't this information provided free of charge?
- A. The raw data contained in the National Alert Registry database are public records. These records are often available via the web sites of the various state police agencies or other authorized law enforcement entities. The existing online resources are extremely limited and often difficult to use. The National Alert Registry suite of online applications aggregate the individual states' sex offender records, providing nationwide coverage in a single set of tools. The National Alert Registry applications provide sophisticated database searching technologies, plotting of sex offender locations nationwide on high-resolution maps with simple, dynamic navigation controls, and a realtime e-mail notification system to keep our members fully-informed. In this day and age, it is unfortunately the case that dangerous sexual predators are a fact of life. Because of the concern of families across the United States, there is an incredible demand for the services National Alert Registry provides. In order to bring you these valuable tools, National Alert Registry must maintain numerous web and database servers and maintain our data centers and Internet bandwidth. The acquisition and compilation of the sex offender records and the development of our sophisticated applications are also quite expensive. Your membership fees ensure that we can continue our mission, providing you ever better service and products in the future!
- Q. What do I do if I need help using the National Alert Registry online application?
- A. Please contact our Customer Support Department .
- Q. How do I cancel my National Alert Registry membership?
- A. If you are no longer happy with your National Alert Registry membership, you may contact Customer Support to cancel your subscription.