Tracking sex offenders with GPS units

A Dayton lawmaker has a plan to keep better track of homeless sex offenders.

State Representative Clayton Luckie believes GPS units are the answer.

This week, Luckie introduced House Bill 369. It would apply to all Tier 3 sex offenders and would require them to wear a tracking device if they did not register a fixed address.

"We cannot lose track of these sex offenders because they are homeless," said Rep. Luckie. "Using GPS to monitor their whereabouts it necessary to protect the citizens of Ohio".

Montgomery County Sheriff, Phil Plummer, said he thinks the proposed legislation is a good idea.

Currently, there are 47 registered, homeless sex offenders in Montgomery County.

When a sex offenders claims to be homeless, officials cannot send warning postcards to neighbors.

"We find quite a few of them that are lying to us. When we catch them, we prosecute them," said Plummer. "They usually get three years for lying to us about their residence, but it would make our jobs a lot easier".

Plummer said the only problem with the GPS units would be the expensive price tag.