Law Enforcement Sharing Info

There are both advantages and disadvantages to law-abiding citizens when law enforcement agencies share the information in their databases.

One advantage is that it makes it easier for law enforcement agencies to catch criminals who may have offended in several different states or provinces. This helps to protect law-abiding citizens from criminals. DNA databases are now used by law enforcement agencies to match criminals to crimes when DNA has been left behind.
Another advantage to this sharing of information is that law enforcement agencies can warn people when potentially dangerous people enter their communities. The Sex Offender's Registry is an example of this. When a sex offender moves into a community, law enforcement officials will warn the people in that community of the potential danger. This is a definite advantage to law-abiding citizens as it helps to give them peace of mind.


One disadvantage to this sharing of information is that the police will have information on everyone, even law-abiding citizens. This information could include your name, address, age, phone number, etc. If someone hacked into this database, they would gain access to all of your information. They could then use this information however they please. This could include sending junk mail to you, forwarding your information to others, phoning your home to sell you something. When it comes to computerized systems, there is no guarantee that they are 100% secure.