Megan’s Law authorizes peace officers to disseminate information about registered sex offenders to the public. Whenever the UCSB Police Department determines that it is necessary to provide information to the public regarding a person required to register as a sex offender pursuant to California Penal Code section 290 in order to ensure the public safety, such information may only be released by means determined by the Chief of Police to be appropriate.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law and except as provided in California Penal Code section 290.45 (a) (2), the UCSB Police Department may provide information to the public about a person required to register as a sex offender pursuant to California Penal Code section 290, by whatever means the UCSB Police Department deems appropriate, when necessary to ensure the public safety based upon information available to the UCSB Police Department concerning that specific person. Notification could be made by way of the Internet through the UCSB website.
Members of the public may access detailed sexual offender information through the Internet at the Megan’s Law website maintained by the California Department of Justice provided in the Related Information box to the right. Additionally, this information is made available to the local public at the Santa Barbara County Sheriff Department, 4434 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA 93110, and (805)681-4100
As of July 1st, 2006, all 50 states are participating in the National Sex Offender Public Registry (NSOPR) website. This site provides real-time access to public sex offender data nationwide with a single Internet search. The federal Department of Justice sponsored site allows parents and concerned members of the public to search existing public state and territory sex offender registries beyond his/her own states. The site can be found in the Related Information box to the right.