Delaware Reviewer's Comments

Delaware’s Sex Offender Central Registry includes registered sex offenders designated High Risk (Tier 3) and Moderate Risk (Tier 2). The High Risk category includes both sex crimes and kidnapping, indicating an understanding of the public’s concerns for community safety. Delaware also includes victim information in the sex offender profiles and email notifications for selected areas, additional indications of Delaware’s community service approach. 

Delaware Screenshots. Click for more
       


Information Provided:  

The offender profiles have a standard physical description, aliases, a color photo and a risk category in bold. It includes residence address, employer’s name and address and any associated schools. If the sex offender is wanted, a drop down alert will appear when viewing the profile asking you to contact local law enforcement if you have information about the offender.

Offense information includes the date of conviction, state, statute, offense name, and limited victim information, which can be helpful where the victim’s age is noted. 

Search Functions:  

The three separate search boxes make it easy to search for and find the information you need. Through the name search, you can search by first and last name. The search will still create a list if you know only the first letter of the last name. The geographical search lets you search by street name, development, city, county or zip code. The out–of–state search box allows you to find offenders that are registered in Delaware, but were convicted in another state.

The search results list includes a color-coded risk level label, last name, first name, and zip codes for home, employer and school. Selecting the first letter of a last name may further refine the results list. 

Additional Site Features:  

Delaware offers a Sex Offender Email Subscription for notification on sex offenders’ status changes. You may monitor a zip code, a city or a county.

This sex offender registry offers legal information and a list of Delaware’s Most Wanted Persons for Failure to Re-register as a Sex Offender. The intent is good, but this listing should link to the profiles and ask for community assistance to be effective.  

Ease of Use:  

The site is well organized and easy to use. Delaware anticipates questions users may have with the search function by including a section, “Which search should you use?” There are also help buttons and indicators for the fields that may be used on their own, and a convenient drop down menu for zip codes. 

Contact Information:  

Contact the Delaware State Bureau of Identification by phone or email if you have questions concerning the registry. 

Summary:  

Delaware maintains an effective sex offender registry designed to assist the public in its efforts to improve community safety and ask for reciprocal assistance in tracking down wanted offenders. An email notification system further demonstrates the law enforcement/public partnership. Risk assessment is a critical component of a sex offender registry and Delaware delivers. However, this site needs interactive map and safety information to meet national standards.