CHECKING, FOR SAFETY'S SAKE USE OF SEX-OFFENDER LIST SPIKES IN WAKE OF RUNNION CASE.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - The kidnapping and slaying of 5-year-old Samantha Runnion in Orange County have renewed interest in a database of sex offenders available for public review at the Santa Clarita Valley sheriff's station.

In the past four days, more than 20 people have viewed the computer program that lists the names, photographs and charges of registered sex offenders who live in the area. The system is required under Megan's Law, a state law named for a young crime victim on the East Coast.

So far this month, twice as many people have checked the database as in a typical month. On Tuesday, eight people used the computer; three did on Monday, three on Sunday and six on Saturday.

Samantha was kidnapped July 14, and the man suspected of sexually assaulting and asphyxiating her was arrested Friday.

``We've had a lot of people coming in because of the Runnion incident,'' said Ed Benison, a volunteer who helps visitors to the station check the database. ``That's exceptional. On normal times it's like one a week, if that.''

Raquel Lowry, 25, of Newhall was at the station Wednesday with her 10- month-old son viewing the database.

``Just with everything going on, I thought it was a good idea to come check,'' Lowry said. ``I'm looking for a new baby sitter and just want to be extra careful.''

Lowry, who lives in a town house, said she enjoys sitting outside with her son, other residents and their children. Since Samantha was snatched kicking and screaming from her town-house complex in Stanton, Lowry has been concerned.

``It seems that it's happening more often,'' Lowry said. ``We all need to be more cautious these days.''

Lowry was drawn to view the database after friends recently did the same and were surprised to learn that scores of registered sex offenders live in the Santa Clarita Valley. More than 150 people are in the local database.

``They said I would be surprised with how many registrants we have living here,'' Lowry said. ``We thought it was so safe, but it could be our next-door neighbor.''

Dawn Reid, 46, of Sylmar came in to view the computer information Wednesday and encouraged others to do the same.

``I didn't know the computer (database) existed,'' Reid said. ``I wanted to check on my neighbors and just keep a watch for the children around me.''

A lot of people have to take that role and watch out for children in the neighborhood.

Sheriff's officials said interest in the database increases as do phone calls to the station reporting suspicious activity when sex crimes become news.

``Right after a newsworthy incident, we get a noticeable increase of calls for service,'' said Lt. Larry Gump. ``We get more calls of people reporting suspicious activity.''

Among the calls received are reports of suspicious-looking people parked near a school or about people watching children for an extended amount of time.

``We would recommend that if anyone sees anything suspicious they report it,'' Gump said.

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MEGAN'S LAW DATABASE

SOURCE: Daily News research