PITTSBURGH — Target 11 has learned that Pittsburgh police have launched a major new initiative to check up on registered sex offenders.
Five hundred thirty registered sex offenders live in the city of Pittsburgh.
Police received funding from the federal government to pay officers overtime to go door-to-door to make sure registered sex offenders are living where they say they are.
It’s a three month program administered by the U.S. Marshals Service that began back in December and runs through March.
So far, police have completed 170.
They’ve issued 12 arrest warrants for either failing to register or providing false information.
Residents welcome the increased enforcement effort.
“I think that's a good idea, because the law states that we have to be accountable for their whereabouts. As a parent, it makes me feel safe to know that while they should be treated fairly, they should also be mandated,” said Dina Blackwell, of Pittsburgh.
Target 11 sat down with the Pittsburgh police detective in charge of the sex offender compliance checks. Detective Mike Veith has been doing most of the checks on his own for the past five years.
He welcomes the additional manpower.
“We take it seriously, and I believe we are one of the best cities in Pennsylvania that approaches Megan's Law with the seriousness that we do,” said Veith.
He released information of several convicted sex offenders wanted by police, including Anthony Dickerson, of the Hill District, Michelle Wilson, of Lincoln-Lemington and Nathaneal McDonough, who was released from the Allegheny County Jail, but never registered with the State Police.
Target 11 attempted to track them down as well.
A woman at Dickerson’s last known address told us he was in the hospital. We relayed the information to police who found Dickerson at the hospital.
Investigators tell Target 11 that charges against him are pending.
At Michelle Wilson's last known address, a man told Target 11 that he had never heard of her.
"They could be anywhere. Maybe out of state possibly. I'm not sure," Veith indicated.
Veith says police will continue this increased effort through March.
“We may check you five times a year.
We may check on you once a year. So if you are willing to roll the dice at that point then you know, I normally get you,” Veith said.
WPXI
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