The Seattle Police Department often fields calls from community residents about sex offenders living in their neighborhoods. Sex and kidnapping offenders have always lived in our communities, but it wasn't until passage of the Community Protection Act of 1990 (which mandates sex and kidnapping offender registration) that law enforcement even knew where they were living.
There are three classifications of sex offenders. Approximately 70 percent of all sex offenders are Level 1 - those at low risk to re-offend. Level 2 are those at moderate risk to re-offend, and Level 3 are those at high risk to re-offend.
Washington state law requires community notification when level 2 and 3 sex offenders are released from custody into the community. These offenders must register their address with police and have release conditions they must follow. If they fail to register, or fail to follow their release conditions, they can be arrested. Currently, no community notification or registration is mandated for Level 1 offenders.
These sex or kidnapping offenders have served the sentence imposed on them by the courts and have advised the King County Sheriff's Department that they will be living within the city limits of Seattle. They are not wanted by the police. This information is not intended to increase fear; rather, it is our belief that an informed public is a safer public.
The Seattle Police Department has no legal authority to direct where a sex or kidnapping offender may or may not live. Unless court ordered restrictions exist, this offender is constitutionally free to live wherever he or she chooses.
SPD sex offender website
Recently, the Seattle Police Department launched its own sex offender website, which can be accessed through the SPD home page at www.seattle.gov/police. Click on the "sex offenders" link in the left hand menu. The link expands to allow you six different options, which are detailed below.
Individuals who appear on these pages have been convicted of sex or kidnapping offenses that require registration with the sheriff's office in the county of their residence. Furthermore, their previous criminal history places them in a classification level - again, level 1, 2 or 3 - which reflects their potential to re-offend.
Searching for sex offenders
The following link takes you to a federal census tract map of Seattle: http://web1.seattle.gov/police/sexoffender/search.aspx. Click on the census tract of interest to you. The names of the Level 2 and 3 sex offenders living in that census tract will appear. Click on the name of the offender and their community notification bulletin will appear. You can print the bulletin or read it from the website.
You may also search for a sex offender by last name. Remember, approximately 70 percent of sex offenders are considered Level 1, or low risk, and are not subject to community notification.
Useful resources
You can link to the official sex offender registries for most states in the country, the sex offender websites for our neighboring counties, links providing help for victims of sexual abuse, and prevention links by visiting http://web1.seattle.gov/police/sexoffender/links.aspx.
If you check this out, the link to "assistance to parents and guardians" is extremely useful for parents wanting information on how to keep their children safe. This portion of the site features excellent articles on what to do if you're considering a babysitter, daycare, or even a divorce or separation.
Safety information
If it's personal safety information that interests you, http://web1.seattle.gov/police/sexoffender/safetyinfo.aspx has a wealth of information.
Tell the cops
While most registered sex offenders comply with the sex offender registration laws, there are always those who try to beat the system. Some offenders register as "homeless" in an attempt to avoid community notification when they really do have a residence. Some use a friend's or relative's address, while living in another area.
If you suspect this is the case, make sure to tell the police department via http://web1.seattle.gov/ police/sexoffender/NotifyUs.aspx. This link allows you to send us an e-mail (you can remain anonymous) if you have a tip on where an offender is actually living.
E-mail notification
If you want to be electronically notified when a sex offender moves in or out of a particular census tract, sign up for the service at http://web1.seattle.gov/police/sexoffender/SignUp.aspx. You can sign up or remove yourself from this notification at any time. All previous e-mail notifications are null and void.
Frequently asked questions
You may have more questions than the previous links can answer, and http://web1.seattle.gov/police/sexoffender/faq.aspx is there to help. This link takes you to a document that should answer most of your questions regarding community notification.
Using this info correctly
Citizen abuse of this information to threaten, intimidate or harass registered sex or kidnapping offenders is not tolerated.
Additionally, such abuse could potentially end law enforcement's ability to partake in community sex-offender notification efforts. We believe the only person who wins if community notification ends is the sex or kidnapping offender, since they derive their power through secrecy.
If you have any suggestions or comments, don't hesitate to e-mail SPD's Sex Offender Detail at spd.sexoffenderdetail@seattle.gov. A special thanks to Detective Bob Shilling for providing this information.
Until next time, take care and stay safe!
SPD South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon may be contacted via editor@sdistrictjournal.com.[[In-content Ad]]
