Massachusetts chief justice backs GPS tracking of sex offenders

Sentinel & Enterprise ^ | Apr 15 2004

[george wythe]

BOSTON -- A plan to track the state's worst sex offenders using a Global Positioning System is "desperately needed" to help prevent additional crimes, according to the chief justice of the state's Superior Court.

Testifying in favor of a bill sponsored by Rep. David Nangle and Sen. Steven Panagiotakos, Lowell Democrats, Chief Justice Suzanne V. DelVecchio told members of the Legislature's Judiciary Committee Wednesday the state must take advantage of the technology to monitor sex offenders who are the most likely to reoffend.

"This is the only effective tool we have now to do that," she said. "Unless we assign one probation officer to live with every Level 3 sex offender, we're never going to get this kind of monitoring. It is desperately needed."

[snip]

Besides the cost of the program, other committee members questioned whether the state could legally track sex offenders who already have been released from prison and whose conditions for probation have already been set. They said it will be easier to set up the program for sex offenders who have not been released from prison or have not yet been sentenced.

"It is going to be difficult to be able to constitutionally proceed with regards to those who are Level 3 but aren't on probation or parole," Panagiotakos said. "We know that's going to be challenged in court, and it will be the (court's) decision that will rule the day."

[Bikers4Bush]

Well if they're gonna do it I hope they use a giant yellow collar that they attach around their necks and not something discreet.

[dirtboy]

A plan to track the state's worst sex offenders using a Global Positioning System is "desperately needed" to help prevent additional crimes

And after that, there will be GPS tracking of convicted felons. Then, those convicted of a DUI. And then, someone will say we'll all be safer if we all wear tracking devices with transponders to crack down on terrorism and illegal immigration.

[mtbopfuyn]

Pinging the ACLU!

[george wythe]

I hope they use a giant yellow collar that they attach around their necks and not something discreet.

With neon lights and bells :-)

[Living Free in NH]

Unless "GPS Tracking" is code for "Cutting Off Their Peckers," I don't care.

[george wythe]

Some cops might need the GPS collar

4/15/04 2:43 PM

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- A city police officer is accused of abducting a woman while in uniform and trying to force her to perform a sex act, authorities said.

An Orleans Parish grand jury indicted James B. Adams, 43, with aggravated kidnapping, extortion and four counts of malfeasance. Adams has been with the police department for 16 years.

[Bikers4Bush]

And a remote taser option just to keep them honest.

If they go within a half mile of the gps coordinates for a school or public park they get juiced.

[dirtboy]

A plan to track the state's worst sex offenders using a Global Positioning System is "desperately needed" to help prevent additional crimes...Besides the cost of the program, other committee members questioned whether the state could legally track sex offenders who already have been released from prison and whose conditions for probation have already been set. They said it will be easier to set up the program for sex offenders who have not been released from prison or have not yet been sentenced.

If these guys are so dangerous, then instead of changing the law to allow GPS tracking, why don't we just change the law to, going forward, imprision them for life instead? Sheez...

[NJ_gent]

"It is going to be difficult to be able to constitutionally proceed"

I just love government oficials who view the Constitution and the protections therein as a "difficulty" to be surmounted.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Massachusetts chief justice backs GPS tracking of sex offenders.

Uh, just wondering where they intend to insert the GPS chip? ;-)

[george wythe]

If they go within a half mile of the gps coordinates for a school or public park they get juiced.

That's a better option than merely tracking them with a GPS collar.

IMO, if a sex offender is so dangerous, he should get life in prisor or half-way house.

[Blue Scourge]

Is sexual abuse that widespread in Mass.?

I understand that there are cases of it everywhere...but for such a action as this you would think any child leaving the house was abused.

[george wythe]

If these guys are so dangerous, then instead of changing the law to allow GPS tracking, why don't we just change the law to, going forward, imprision them for life instead? Sheez...

Too much common sense in your reply.

Now a GPS collar or bracelet... yeah, that's the solution.

[Xenalyte]

We have the Dread Boston Salty Lojacked. I used to be able to feel the little chip (it was between his shoulder blades), but it migrated and now I don't know where it is. I just know it's in the dog somewhere.