Sex offender database best searched by zip code
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

A search of the state's sex offender database shows there are at least 96 registered sex offenders living in Wharton County, but those searching the database need to be sure they're getting all the information.

Those 96 offenders listed in the Texas Department of Public Safety's database are scattered throughout the county with 34 residing in Wharton, 30 in El Campo, seven in East Bernard, five in Jones Creek, four each in Boling and Hungerford, three each in Danevang, Glen Flora and Louise, two in Egypt and one in Iago.

However, to learn the full number of offenders and their locations, visitors must enter every zip code in their area.

The only way to thoroughly search the DPS site is by zip code, which includes unincorporated areas without post offices, such as Jones Creek.

While the "map" feature of the database can be searched by county, it doesn't include a complete listing of offenders, skipping some locations entirely.

In the case of Wharton County, fewer than half the offenders found by a zip code search are actually shown on the map view of the county.

This means those who live in incorporated towns - Wharton, El Campo and East Bernard - can get an accurate accounting of which sex offenders live in their neighborhoods, while those in rural areas such as Louise, Iago or Boling must be certain to enter the zip code of their physical address to ensure the search results are accurate.

"The Web site does not have a county search on the main page where results are displayed as a list," a customer service technician from MicroAssist Inc. said. That company operates the database Web site for the DPS. MicroAssist said the map doesn't display all mapped addresses at once, unless viewers zoom in to a particular location. However, even when site viewers close in on a location, not all offenders are mapped - some 33 of the at least 96 registered sex offenders in Wharton County are considered "unmappable."

The company did concur that the most accurate results are available by searching by zip code.

The DPS site is located at: https://records.txdps.state. tx.us/DPS_WEB/Sor/index. aspx.