While there are lots of effective programs…

While there are lots of effective programs that help parents keep children safe from predators who prowl the Internet, a controversial Web site, launched earlier this month by the Cook County Sheriff’s Department, lets area suburban parents use the Internet to keep their children out of harm’s way in their own neighborhoods.

The Child Sex Offender Registration Database, www.cookcountysheriff.org, lists the names and addresses of registered sex offenders who live in the suburbs and unincorporated Cook County.

You can search the database by suburb or by name to identify any registered offenders who live near you.

City parents who have similar concerns can e-mail the Chicago Police Department at [email protected] for information