New Law Lets Crime Victims Track Offenders by Email

Crime victims who want to track their attacker's status? There's an app for that.

Well, not quite. But a new law signed by Gov. Jerry Brown this week allows victims of violent crimes to receive emails when their perpetrator is released, escapes or changes parole status.

The bill was authored by state Sen. Tom Harman, a Republican whose district includes Seal Beach, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Rossmoor and Fountain Valley.

Previously, crime victims, their next of kin and witnesses could only be notified by telephone or certified mail.

“California’s victim notification system was antiquated," Harman said in a statement. "With this bill, victim notification will be brought into the computer age.”

The law takes effect immediately, Harman said. The state corrections department has received a federal grant to develop an automated victim notification system.