2 students, 1 employee named on UAPD site

Members of the UA community can now access a Web site that identifies two UA students and one UA employee as registered sex offenders.

Sgt. Eugene Mejia, UAPD spokesman, said the Web site, created under the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act, can be accessed by going to the UAPD homepage, www.uapd.arizona.edu, and clicking on the link "Sex Offender Information."

"We've been working on getting the site up since last week; today was the first day it was fully operational," Mejia said.

After clicking on the link, viewers of the site can find information on sex offenders and the sex offender law.

The site offers separate links on the three sex offenders, including pictures of each offender and maps of where they live.

Mejia said the Web site also categorizes the level of potential danger for each sex offender.

Sex offenders are registered as a Level 1, 2 or 3 offender, with 3 being the most dangerous.

The three sex offenders identified on the Web site are all categorized as Level 2, indicating a "moderate risk" to re-offend within the community. Level 1 offenders are not put on the Web site.

A full explanation of the three levels can be accessed through a link, Mejia said.

Web site visitors can also access the Arizona Department of Public Safety Sex Offender InfoCenter, a Web site that identifies all registered sex offenders in Arizona.

Mejia said the Web site has been put up for several reasons.

"Viewers can identify sex offenders on campus. There's crime prevention information on the site, and also links to organizations that deal with victims of sexual assault," he said.

Kim Wright, veterinary science junior, said the sex offender Web site isn't a good idea.

"People should have their privacy. Each crime may not be as bad as people think since they don't know the details of the crime," she said.

Shayla Reynolds, science education junior, said she had mixed feelings about the Web site.

"It depends on what people do with the information; they could be treated differently," she said.

But Reynolds said she could see why the Web site could be important for safety if the sex offender were to strike again.

Mejia said people should respond to the Web site by being aware of their surroundings and possible threats.

"Students should use this as a tool; they should not go out late at night, (and should) travel in pairs and avoid parties with drugs and alcohol since these can all lead to crime situations," he said.

The Web site also has a disclaimer, warning that threats or harassment aimed at the sex offenders identified will be prosecuted.

"The Web site is meant simply for information purposes; it should not be used to target people or to make threats," Mejia said.