Last week, another sex offender moved to Powell, bringing the total to 14 in our small town.The Wyoming Sex Offender Registry provides an online listing of registered sex offenders — including names, addresses, physical descriptions, photos and conviction history — as required by state statute. Each and every one of the 14 is pictured there.The Wyoming Legislature amended the sex offender statutes to require the online listing in 2007, with the goal of making the information readily available to the citizens of this state. While it is implicitly stated on the Web site that no determination has been made regarding an individual's risk of re-offense, the registry provides a tool that allows parents to make decisions directly related to their children's safety. It is easy to be lulled into a false sense of security when one lives in a town like Powell. However, dangers lurk even in our quiet streets, and parents need to do all they can to keep their kids safe. Knowing where potential danger exists and educating children about how to avoid it is a proactive choice. The Wyoming Sex Offender Registry is located at wysors.dci.wyo.gov/sor/home.htm. Users can search by name, city, county or address, and they also can sign up for email notification of new registrations.The service is there — parents should recognize the importance of being informed. Our children's safety could depend on it.

Last week, another sex offender moved to Powell, bringing the total to 14 in our small town.

The Wyoming Sex Offender Registry provides an online listing of registered sex offenders — including names, addresses, physical descriptions, photos and conviction history — as required by state statute. Each and every one of the 14 is pictured there.

The Wyoming Legislature amended the sex offender statutes to require the online listing in 2007, with the goal of making the information readily available to the citizens of this state.

While it is implicitly stated on the Web site that no determination has been made regarding an individual's risk of re-offense, the registry provides a tool that allows parents to make decisions directly related to their children's safety.

It is easy to be lulled into a false sense of security when one lives in a town like Powell. However, dangers lurk even in our quiet streets, and parents need to do all they can to keep their kids safe.

Knowing where potential danger exists and educating children about how to avoid it is a proactive choice.

The Wyoming Sex Offender Registry is located at wysors.dci.wyo.gov/sor/home.htm. Users can search by name, city, county or address, and they also can sign up for email notification of new registrations.

The service is there — parents should recognize the importance of being informed. Our children's safety could depend on it.