ADVANCE FOR RELEASE AT 4:30 P.M. EST                           AG
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1997                           (202) 514-2008
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

              STATEMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL RENO ON
       BUREAU OF JUSTICE STATISTICS REPORT ON SEX OFFENDERS


     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Attorney General Janet Reno issued the
following statement regarding the Bureau of Justice Statistics
(BJS) report entitled "Sex Offenses and Offenders" released today:

     "Today's report shows that accurate registries and effective
community notification programs are at the heart of our fight
against sex offenders.  Megan's law and the 1994 Crime Act spread
registries and notification across America; at President Clinton's
direction, a National Sex Offender Registry will soon be up and
running.

     "But these systems cannot work unless states insure that their
registries are accurate and up to date.  We will continue to work
in partnership with the states -- providing guidance, information
and resources -- as they develop their registry and notification
programs.  This will take time and effort at every level, but
surely our communities and children are worth it." 

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