|
Press Releases
Felons Who Cross State Lines Pose
Hiring Threat, says Accu-Screen
Fleeing fugitives are a growing risk in America.
Tampa, FL October 20, 2008 -- According to a recent
investigative series in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, between 1.9 and 2.7
million felony fugitives (including rapists and murderers) have eluded
capture by crossing state lines.
Companies that unknowingly hire felons or fugitives put themselves at
increased risk of embezzlement, fraud, lawsuits and workplace violence.
Employers should be alert to the possibility that a fugitive criminal may be
hiding in their workplace.
Accu-Screen, Inc., a leader in employment background screening, frequently
uncovers job candidates with criminal records or fraudulent credentials when
it conducts background searches for employers. Accu-Screen has a large
network of field agents working across the nation to retrieve criminal
record information at the local, county and state level, as opposed to
relying on database searches.
Post-Dispatch reporters found a persistent problem with outstanding warrants
across the country. If local or county police departments don't enter all
their warrants in the FBI database, fugitives not listed in the database can
escape detection for their prior crimes.
"It's alarming that so many criminals get away with their crimes and go on
to victimize new people in another state," says Kevin Connell, chief
executive officer and founder of Accu-Screen. "Our on-the-ground criminal
background searches result in a more accurate 'criminal hit ratio,' which
prevents these law-breakers from endangering companies."
Key facts about this national crisis include:
- A statewide dragnet across Florida last month dubbed "Operation Orange
Crush" led to the arrest of 2497 fugitives, including those of 113 homicide
suspects, 255 sex offenders and 55 gang members. The U.S. Marshalls-led
sweep targeted the "worst of the worst" offenders. According to the Post
Dispatch report, 35 % of Felony Warrants in Florida are not entered into the
FBI Database.
- Organizers of Philadelphia's "Fugitive Safe Surrender" program were
astonished when 1205 felons turned themselves in at a local church in mid-September.
The program was designed to encourage non-violent fugitives to settle their
outstanding warrants.
- More than one third of all felony warrants are not entered into the FBI's
National Crime Information Center database checked by police across the
country.
- Local police often refuse to pick up fugitives from other states, even
when they're wanted for violent crimes.
"Corporations and hiring managers that engage employment screening experts
can dramatically reduce their risk of hiring an employee with a hidden
criminal record," said Connell. "Accu-Screen's in-depth criminal background
screening services can give employers that additional peace of mind."
Accu-Screen has created a complimentary white paper, "Felons Who Cross State
Lines Pose A Hiring Threat," so that hiring professionals may get additional
information on this important topic. To view the report or to download a
copy, visit Accu-Screen at http://www.accuscreen.com/.
About Accu-Screen, Inc.
Since 1994, Accu-Screen, Inc, has been an industry pioneer, leader and
expert in employment background screening, specializing in criminal
background checks. Its reports are delivered to companies across the world
in 24-72 hours. CEO Kevin G. Connell founded the company with a burning
desire that companies hire the right people from the start, resulting in
greater cost control and better safety in the workplace. Mr. Connell also
serves as a national speaker and expert in negligent hiring, resume fraud,
employee theft, and embezzlement.
Media Contact:
Kevin Connell
Accu-Screen, Inc.
1-813-837-1920
800-689-2228
Kevinconnell@accuscreen.com
|
|