BROCKTON, Mass. -- Brockton police and state officials are facing off over sex offender registration Wednesday.

Video

Jorge Quiroga Reports On Postings Resources Mass. Sex Offender Registry Registry Information Local Police Dept. Links Other State's Registries Check Listings In Your Town Victim Resources

NewsCenter 5's Jorge Quiroga reported that the state told city officials to shut down a detailed Web site by Friday that offers names addresses and pictures of convicts, but the city said they are protecting children and won't.

Brockton Mayor John Yunits said the sex offenders Internet page gets thousands of hit each month, proving it is a great success.

"So, I do think that people are checking. I do think that parents want to avail themselves of the information. In fact, We are taking it a step further, not only do we post it on the Web site, we make sure if a Level 3 offender moves in to one of our school districts that every parent is notified," said Yuntis.

More than 40 states allow the names, addresses, crimes and mug shots of sex offenders to be posted on the Internet. But in March a controversial Middlesex superior court judge ruling deemed the same practice by the city of Waltham went above and beyond the legal definition of community notification violating the rights of ex-convicts.

The city of Waltham is under court order to stop the practice by Friday. And while a ripple effect statewide is expected, Mayor Yunits vows his city will defy the ban.

"The constitution is not an absolute and it is always changed. In this particular situation we are not talking about accused, we are talking about convicted. We are talking a field of criminology where we know there is huge amounts of recidivism," said Yuntis.

Yuntis said until Brockton is challenged he will ignore the Friday deadline, instead he will keep dozens of Level 3 sex offenders on the city's Web page.

"We are avoiding instances -- the kids are aware of it, the kids see the pictures, we post the pictures. We had an incident in one of our junior highs just a few weeks ago where, on regular basis, there was somebody who was following young ladies home from junior high," said Yuntis.

Yuntis said the girls called the police to alert them of the individual.

Both Waltham and the state sex offender registry are appealing the court order.

On Tuesday, the Massachusetts House passed an amendment that allows for the public tracking on the Web of the most dangerous sex offenders. The amendment has been sent to the Senate for approval.