The department’s sex offender registry officer-in-charge PO2 Jason Tarkong said the website is still a “work in progress.”
The website (http://cnmi.nsopw.gov) cannot provide individual profiles.
When asked about P.L. 11-35, or the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act of 1998, Tarkong said new legislation is needed to make it federally compliant.
He said it must also be specifically mentioned in the Superior Court’s judgment and commitment order of a convicted sex offender that he or she must register as a sex offender.
“This is to avoid a lawsuit,” Tarkong said.
He said the public may contact the DPS sex offender registry office at 664-9026 or 664-9001 for information on registered sex offenders in the CNMI.
In a separate interview, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Don Hall said the U.S. Marshals Service is helping the CNMI run its sex offender registry website, and comply with the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
Consistent
Tarkong on Tuesday sought the support and assistance of the Rotary Club of Saipan in persuading the Legislature to amend the local law and make it consistent with federal statute.
“The CNMI is not yet compliant with federal standards. I am asking the Rotarians for support…so we can be heard in the Legislature,” said Tarkong, who was the guest speaker during the Rotary Club meeting at the Hyatt.
He said his office forwarded proposed amendments to legislators last year but “nothing happened.”
Tarkong said 132 persons are listed in the CNMI sex offender registry, but some have already died while others are still serving jail time.
Crime Stoppers
Tarkong, who is also the CNMI Crime Stoppers coordinator, also urged the Rotarians to take an active part in the program, which gives callers a chance to report crimes anonymously and get a reward from $50 up to a $1,000 for calls that lead to an arrest.
“Crime Stoppers really works and helps authorities to solve crimes,” Tarkong said.
He said a total of 223 arrests have been made from calls made through Crime Stoppers, 375 cases have been cleared, and over $18,000 was paid out in rewards.
Crime Stoppers also recovered over $246,000 worth of stolen property, and seized over $2.6 million worth of illegal drugs in the CNMI, Tarkong said. “This just goes to show that Crime Stoppers program really works,” he added.
