Offendar frequently asked questions

What is Offendar?

	Personal fob concept
	The Offendar fob is still in development, but it might look like this.
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Offendar, short for offender radar, is a personal threat detection system featuring a key-fob sized electronic device carried by members of the public. The device will provide a vibrating, auditory or visual alarm when a sex offender or other person wearing a court-ordered electronic ankle bracelet is in the immediate vicinity.

What’s different about Offendar?

Two things: It is the first system that can alert any member of the public who carries one to the nearby presence of an offender wearing a court ordered electronic bracelet. This enables people to take steps to protect themselves or others including children before something happens.

And the second difference over current offender laws?

Offendar alerts the person wearing the bracelet first, allowing them to make a decision about remaining in an area. The Offendar system does not publicly identify the offender.

Why is the Offendar system being proposed?

The public wants more than after-the-fact tracking of sex offenders. Many people want to know when a threat is in the vicinity so they can take steps to protect themselves and their children before something happens.

What’s wrong with current legal measures?

They do not provide individuals with any method for knowing whether a potential threat is in their immediate vicinity at any given moment. And the high daily cost of GPS tracking systems make courts reluctant to impose continuing monitoring requirements on released sex offenders.

Is Offendar in use anywhere?

Not yet. New legislation is required. Principals in the company are presenting to and meeting with Ohio legislators on Wednesday, December 5.

What does the personal alert device look like?

The first Offendar personal threat alert device is expected to resemble a medium or large size key fob or electronic automobile key.

What can I do?

If you want this protection in Ohio for you and your loved ones, call, email or write your state legislator today.

What will Offendar cost?

We expect the personal device available to the public might have an annual cost somewhere between $15 and $45. We won’t know for sure until we are farther along in the development process.

What about the cost to the judicial system?

It will be much less than current tracking systems.

Where else can Offendar be used?

In some cases, the legal system might decide to require offenders to wear bracelet with both technologies. There are also plans for permanent and mobile perimeter alerts. This would enable schools, zoos and shopping malls to trigger alerts to their main or security offices. The mobile alerts could be used at carnivals, fairs, sports events and other temporary attractions.

How else can Offendar be used?

For domestic violence and stalking instances.

Has the technology been proven?

Yes. It does not actually use radar. But the Offendar system does use existing and proven technology in an innovative approach that is patent pending. Prototypes work effectively.

When will Offendar be available?

First, a state needs to pass the required legislation or legislation for a pilot project. Once that is in place, development of the devices can move forward. We expect it could take six to 18 months provided necessary funds become available.