Violent Offender Law Being Ignored

By Lori Fullbright, News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Most people don't realize violent offenders are supposed to register their address with police when they get out of prison, just like sex offenders. That's because practically no one has been enforcing the law since it was passed four years ago.

This law has been largely ignored. Partly because it applies to criminals who committed their crimes since 2004 and many of them are just now getting out. Also, police departments don't have the staff to track them down.

Right now, the state website says only 17 violent offenders have registered Tulsa addresses.

People convicted of first and second degree murder, first degree manslaughter, shooting with intent to kill, assault with intent to kill and bombing, must register their address with the local police department once they get released from prison.

It's also called the Mary Rippy law, named for a woman who was strangled by her next-door neighbor. Afterward, it came to light he was a violent ex-con and people wondered why the neighbors hadn't been informed.

"They see this as a tool we can use to get some of these violent offenders who are not registered, off the streets and put them back in prison," said TPD Sgt. John Adams.

The problem is, nothing much has been done about this law since it was passed, but the focus at Tulsa police right now is all about violent criminals, so the violent offender registration is now a top priority. Detectives plan to ask for arrest warrants for violent offenders who fail to register. If those people are convicted, they're looking at another five years behind bars.

"Violent offenders, it's a different mentality, they could care less, they have no respect for the law and their fellow citizens. We don't think they're going to register and when we look at our registry that shows true," said Sgt. Adams.

Police say the hard part right now is getting the information. The Tulsa County District Attorney's Office says it's meeting with police next month to streamline the process of sharing information and processing these cases.

In all, 43 violent offenders are currently somewhere in the state who have not registered, so police and neighbors have no idea where they are.

Police are hoping state legislators will add even more violent crimes to this law, like armed robbery.