Background The U.S. Congress passed three laws that require States to keep track of sex offenders; the Wetterling Registration Act, the Lynchner Tracking and Identification Act and Megan’s Law. On March 5, 2003, The Supreme Court ruled that information about potential predators may be posted on the Internet. The Problem The information is available and you have the right to see it. But the problem is that access is very difficult. You have to know the name of the individual you are looking for and in many States you must go to your police station and complete a request form. In some States there is a fee and limit to view only two names	National Alert Registry Your role as a member The National Alert Registry is only as good as your commitment to keeping your family safe. It is a tool to educate you and make your neighborhood safer through awareness. It helps you reinforce family safety planning and support the best efforts of local law enforcement. Use the knowledge you gain in a constructive manner! Get involved in a Neighborhood Crime Watch program or start one. You can work with local authorities to develop and promote plans to prepare yourself, your family and your neighbors for residing near registered sex offenders, or even to prepare to move in near one. Support law enforcement Although local law enforcement authorities cannot force an offender to move from one location to another, they are granted authority to provide community notification about offenders who are considered moderate to high risk. However, most law enforcement agencies will provide community notification only if the conviciton requires it. Do not give an offender a hard time It's natural to be upset and fearful when an offender moves in nearby. However, the laws that allow the National Alert Registry to keep you informed were not intended to make things difficult for offenders. Quite the opposite: By cooperating with law enforcement and your community watch program, you can provide an environment to help the offender to succeed. Along with the right to know comes a responsibility to use the information constructively. Don't jeopardize the privilege of being aware by harassing an offender or taking unlawful action! Doing so may subject you to criminal and/or civil prosecution. As a reminder, you agree not to do so when you accept the Terms and Conditions of membership. Become a member Learn about membership Go Back