Dealing with registered sex offenders

The recent abductions and murders of two Florida girls have lawmakers scrambling to tighten the reigns on registered sex offenders. <br/><br/>Oklahoma is considering its own version of the "Jessica Lunsford

Tuesday, April 26th 2005, 10:24 am

By: News On 6

The recent abductions and murders of two Florida girls have lawmakers scrambling to tighten the reigns on registered sex offenders.

Oklahoma is considering its own version of the "Jessica Lunsford Bill,â€ which would require those convicted of sex crimes to wear a satellite locator when they're released from prison.

As News on 6 anchor Tami Marler explains, some Bixby residents think it's long overdue.

"I'm just really concerned in my heart that something bad could happen. And if it was one of my own grandkids, I just can't tell you what I would do." Tony's grandchildren visit most every day, so she and others in this Bixby neighborhood are worried about a man who lives nearby. Many are so afraid, they wouldn't go on camera, but with so many children around, they want something done. "Now that we know this we don't let them out of the backyard. They're not allowed in the front yard. And you know it's a shame."

They're worried about Augustus Christiansen, listed as a habitual sex offender on the Bixby Police web site, convicted of first-degree rape while on probation for indecent acts to a child. "I don't trust him. I'm sure you wouldn't trust him with your children if you've got children. We want him gone."

Christiansen is not allowed to have any contact with children without prior approval from his parole officer. Under the terms of his probation, he has to have a place to live and he has to have a job. But who's willing to take a chance on someone who's considered a habitual sexual offender?

"Sex offenders are supervised a little more closely." Kathy King with the state Department of Probation and Parole says Christiansen has done everything he's expected to do since his January parole. "He's got a set of rules and conditions that he's supposed to comply with and he comes in and meets with his officer. She verifies employment, she verifies treatment. He's also with treatment supposed to have polygraphed, which that's coming up soon so he's complying with everything."

King confirms, Christiansen was recently terminated after his neighbors alerted his employer to their concerns. They'd like to believe he can change. "It would be wonderful if this guy could get transformed." Just not in their neighborhood.

Kathy King says sex offender registries were created so the public could be armed with information to protect themselves and their children.

The News on 6 tried to contact Augustus Christiansen, but was not able to reach him.