In 1995, a convicted child molester was arrested for the murder and rape of 7 year-old Megan Kanka in a New Jersey suburb. The offender lived directly across the street from the Kanka residence, yet the Police Department was prohibited from disclosing the presence of this child molester because at the time the law did not allow the release of sex offender information to the public.
The law, dubbed "Megan's Law," was changed to permit the release of this information to the public. California's version of Megan's Law went into effect on September 25, 1996. This law was implemented to allow potential victims to protect themselves and allow parents to protect their children. The law provides police with the ability to notify neighborhoods and residents of the existence of serious offenders, and further provides for public access to sex offender information under controlled circumstances.
The Torrance Police Department takes a proactive approach to notifying the public of sex offender registrants living in their neighborhoods. Members of the public are welcome to view the Megan's Law information via the Internet at the Police Department from
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday. This service is free of charge, however, an appointment is necessary. You can make an appointment by calling (310) 618-5571.
For the benefit of California's non-English speaking population, the public access screen also includes translation of the data into 12 additional languages: Arabic, Armenian, Cambodian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
No addresses are given, but registrants can be searched by zip code, name, or physical description. To view the information you must be at least 18 years old, present a California driver's license or ID card, sign a request form, give a thumb print and not be a sex registrant yourself.
The Torrance Police Department is dedicated to keeping the citizens of our community safe. In keeping with this spirit, we have also included a link to the LA County Registered Sexual Offender Locator Map web site. The map shows the approximate locations of sexual offenders within LA County and can be searched by city, zip code, school, parks, etc. Members of the public may not use the information they obtain by any means in accordance with the law to commit any crime. Criminal misuse of the information subjects the person who misuses it to a sentence enhancement in addition to the punishment for the crime committed. Civil misuse of the information may subject that person to civil damages. The information being provided is not to be used in any way to intimidate, harass or take any unlawful action against any registered sex offender.
CONTACT
Torrance Detectives handle Megan's Law registration and investigations of offenders failing to keep their registrations updated. Questions related to Megan's Law should be directed to the Sex Crimes Detail at (310) 618-5571.
DOJ Megan's Law Web Site, http://caag.state.ca.us/megan/index.htm
Link to LA County Info Page, Registered Sexual Offender Locator Web Site, http://gismap.co.la.ca.us/sols/default.htm
