COLUMBIA (WACH) - A law requiring convicted sex offenders to live at least 1,000 feet from schools, day care centers and churches is now in effect. Richland County Representative Joan Brady admits it took longer than she would have liked.
Brady says the sex offender law brings South Carolina in line with other states.
"A convicted repeat offender was arrested and they said why did you come to South Carolina? He said, well the residency restriction laws got too severe in Georgia, so I moved to South Carolina."
The law was passed in 2008, but could not take effect until SLED launched "Offender Watch." Director Reggie Lloyd says the online tool helps residents and law enforcement keeps tabs on where offenders are living.
"Parents or others who pull up this website on offender watch, they will be able to see in virtual reality, where offenders reside in comparison to bus stops, schools and other locations where there are restrictions," Lloyd says.
Brady says she pushed for this law after hearing about several jurisdictions around the state passing their own residency restrictions.
"That was probably one of the most important things about Offender Watch and this legislation is the conformity it brings to law enforcement throughout the state," Brady adds.
The new restrictions apply to offenders who have committed the most heinous crimes including first and second degree criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping, and human trafficking. It doesn't apply to offenders currently living within the thousand feet buffer unless they decide to move.
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