Megan's Law 

In 1995, a convicted child molester was arrested for the murder and rape of 7-year old Megan Kanka in a New Jersey suburb. The offender lived across the street from the Kanka residence. The Police Department, however, was prohibited from disclosing the presence of this child molester because the law did not allow the release of sex offender information to the public.

Today, this information is available to the public. On May 8, 1996, President Clinton signed the law ("Megan's Law") in remembrance of Megan Kanka. On September 25, 1996, the California State Legislature's version of Megan's Law took effect statewide. The law was implemented to allow potential victims to protect themselves and allow parents to protect their children.

Megan's Law Information in Pacific Grove

For information regarding sex offenders living in Pacific Grove city limits, please go to www.meganslaw.ca.gov or www.crimereports.com/agency/pgpd.

California Penal Code Section 290

Section 290 of the California Penal Code requires people convicted of certain sexual offenses to register with the local law enforcement agency responsible for the jurisdiction in which they reside within 5 working days of their birthday, and within 5 working days of changing their address. This is a requirement for the rest of their lives. If they fail to register on time, they are in violation of the law and go to jail. If they fail to notify the Police Department when they move in or out of the city, they go to jail. If they provide the Police Department with false or deceptive information about where they are living, they go to jail.

The Pacific Grove Police Department has a no tolerance policy with regard to sex registration and sends cases to the District Attorney's Office for charging of violations of 290 P.C.