ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, May 25, 1996 TAG: 9605280033
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press SPRINGFIELD
A nonprofit group has obtained the names of convicted felons living in northern Virginia from state officials and plans to provide the names to anyone who asks.
Les Fettig, founder of the First Stone Foundation, said he wants communities to know where convicted felons live because he believes ``repeat offenders are the overwhelming engine of crime in America, [and] the community's right to protect innocents comes first.''
The foundation has obtained the names and addresses of people who have been released from prison or who are on probation and are living in Fairfax and Arlington counties and Alexandria. The group provides the information by mail or fax to anyone who asks for it and plans to post the information on an Internet web site, Fettig said.
Fettig spent two years persuading Virginia officials to provide him with the data on a regular basis. In the past, the information was available to anyone who wanted to go to various state officials and look it up.
He said the list will prevent crime because neighbors will be more vigilant.
The group's actions do not sit well with the American Civil Liberties Union, some prosecutors and some defense attorneys.
``When does the sentence end?'' asked William Moffitt, an Alexandria defense lawyer. ``We should be finding ways to integrate people into the community. This does absolutely no good.''
Alexandria Commonwealth's Attorney John E. Kloch said people with names similar or identical to those with criminal records might be confused with felons.
``At least in law enforcement, we have fingerprints and Social Security numbers to verify who is a felon,'' Kloch said.
Fairfax Board of Supervisors Chairman Katherine K. Hanley, however, praised the organization, saying, ``We need to let parents know if someone poses a risk to their children by locating in their neighborhood.''
The foundation has information only about people convicted in Virginia courts right now, but Fettig said he wants to create a multistate system.
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