CBI Suspicious Of Sex-Offender Site's Intentions
Web Site Links To CBI's Sex Offender Web Site Without Authorization
Posted: 10/08/2006
Last Updated:
2416 days ago
Federal and local law enforcement agencies said they are concerned about a Web site that claims to give the names and addresses of sex offenders in people's neighborhoods.The Web site, DefendMyStreet.com, requires a zip code and an e-mail address to enter and then links to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation's sex offender Web site.Though nothing about the Web site is illegal, it does not explain why or who is running the Web site, which is why law enforcements agencies said they are concerned.DefendMyStreet.com's operator, Florian McCann, handed out fliers in neighborhoods telling residents that there is a sex offender living in their neighborhood.The fliers direct people to DefendMyStreet.com, have them put in their zip code and e-mail addresses, and then link them to the CBI's Web site."I'm appalled that a company would try to do something like that," said concerned parent Pam Rouch.Rouch said her 9-year-old son found the flier taped to the front door of their home that said a sex offender had moved into the area."That was disturbing to me," said Rouch."This guy is making people believe that there is some connection to the CBI Web site, that we did not authorize and wish he would remove," said Lance Clem of CBI.McCann is the owner of Mile High Services, best known in the metro area for its aerations services.McCann did not want to talk on camera with 7NEWS for fear of retribution from sex offenders, but his attorney, John Zackem, said the Web site was meant as a public service."He's doing a service to the community. He wanted to remain anonymous because the only people who could possibly be upset for what he's doing, is sex offenders," said Zackem."He is either taking the list of e-mail addresses he's collects on the Web site and selling that list, or he is using the list himself for spaming purposes," said Clem."Right now there is no intent to use the e-mail addresses for anything other than notifying people of sex offenders," said Zackem.Zackem said McCann asks for e-mail addresses because if McCann gets additional information on sex offenders in the area, he said he will e-mail it to the families directly.Law enforcement said so far, nothing McCann has done is illegal."My concern I have is that somebody is out there preying on families with kids and trying to gain from it," said Rouch.But CBI said they do not recommend using DefendMyStreet.com.
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