CRIME LIST DRAWS FEW LOOKS; SEX OFFENDER ROLLS GROW, BUT INTEREST STAYS LOW.

Byline: Stacy Brown Daily News Staff Writer

In the year since the horrific death of a New Jersey girl prompted public access to the names of repeat sex offenders, Santa Clarita residents' interest in the information has waned.

More sex offenders in the Santa Clarita Valley have registered with sheriff's officials, thus becoming part of a computer database available for public scrutiny under the terms of California's version of Megan's Law.

``We get about three inquiries a week,'' said Sgt. Howard Fairchild of the Santa Clarita Valley sheriff's station. ``Most of those come in here because they have an appointment for something else and ask to look at the database as an afterthought.''

On the other hand, Fairchild said, each week one to four new offenders register at the Valencia station. ``It's eye-opening and alarming that we have so many register each week,'' he said.

Since July 1, 1997, sex offenders' names, photographs, physical descriptions, dates of birth and the crimes for which they were convicted began to be listed on the state's CD-ROM computer directory, which is available to residents 24 hours a day.

States across the nation adopted similar Megan's Laws, named for 7-year-old Megan Kanka, who was raped and killed by a repeat offender.

While up-to-date figures were unavailable, the state Department of Justice said last year that more than 16,000 offenders were registered in Los Angeles County, 154 in Santa Clarita.

Those numbers have increased, in part, because of a slight change in who must register.

Originally, the law applied only to sex offenders who have been classified as high-risk or serious because of their crimes and/or repeat convictions. Fairchild said that now offenders must register even if they are not classified as serious.

``The court can classify a crime as a (sex offense) even if it's just a case where a guy exposed himself or if a guy ran through the shopping mall and hit a woman on her behind,'' Fairchild said.

One of the fears offenders, defense attorneys and others expressed about Megan's Law was the possibility of harassment. Authorities said there has not been any recorded harassment of registered offenders in the Santa Clarita Valley.

But still perplexing to local authorities is the lack of interest residents have shown. ``Perhaps people who have had concerns came in before and found their answers and were satisfied,'' Fairchild said.

Those who want to tap into the database must sign a form asking their name and home telephone number, and a statement that they will not use the information to harass or discriminate against a registrant.

Users must provide a California driver license or state identification card. The computer can be used for 15 minutes at a time.

It is mandated that convicted sex offenders register with local deputies within five days of their birthday and within five days of an address change, authorities said. Those failing to register are subject to arrest, he said.

``They must register, we have to keep tabs on them,'' Fairchild said.