For Release 03/20/07

Canton Police Department's sex offender violator task force assembled this weekend and conducted a sweep to track down several sex offender registration violators. This weekend's efforts resulted in three arrests, one for failure to change address and two for failure to verify address during verification period.

Overall, Canton Police were able to clear up nine sex offender violation open cases, bringing Canton's portion of the registry up-to-date. During the sweep, officers verified several violators were currently in prison, some had moved out of Michigan and one had moved out of Canton, telling police that he moved because "Canton was too tough on sex offenders."

The Michigan Sex Offender Act requires persons convicted of certain sexual offenses to register their address information and changes with their local police department. Persons convicted of a felony are required to verify information quarterly. Persons convicted under a misdemeanor are required to verify information yearly.

Canton presently has 63 residents on the sex offenders list. Offenses range from Indecent Exposure to violations of Criminal Sexual Conduct, first degree. Canton Police Department recognizes the importance of Michigan's sex offender registration law, and is making every effort to ensure compliance with all aspects of the legislation. The department's sex offender task force takes rapid enforcement action on all violators. The residences of all registered sex offenders are also being verified by uniformed patrol officers periodically.

A list of all registered sex offenders living in Canton may be viewed at the Canton Police Department, located at 1150 S. Canton Center Road, or online atwww.mipsor.state.mi.us.

The Canton Police Department will continue to randomly check persons on the sex offender list who reside in Canton to ensure they are incompliance with the requirements under state law.

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