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The entire State of Washington has a little over 20,000 registered sex
offenders. Of that number approximately 4,300 are registered in King
County. So
while it is important to be aware of registered sex offenders in your
neighborhood, since we are such a mobile society, it is also important
to practice safety precautions in all aspects of your life and travels. Sex Offenders are classified into one of three levels based upon the
crime they were convicted of and their history:
The vast majority of registered sex offenders are classified as Level 1
offenders. They are considered at low risk to re-offend. These
individuals may be first time offenders and they usually know their
victims.
Level 2 offenders have a moderate risk of re-offending. They generally
have more than one victim and the abuse may be long term. These
offenders usually groom their victims and may use threats to commit
their crimes. These crimes may be predatory with the offender using a
position of trust to commit their crimes. Typically these individuals do
not appreciate the damage they have done to their victims.
Level 3 offenders are considered to have a high risk to re-offend. They
usually have one or more victims and may have committed prior crimes of
violence. They may not know their victim (s). The crime may show a
manifest cruelty to the victim (s) and these offenders usually deny or
minimize the crime. These offenders commonly have clear indications of a
personality disorder.
Sex offenders have always lived in our communities,
but it wasn't until the Community Protection Act of 1990 passed,
which mandates sex offender registration, that law enforcement agencies
even knew where they were living. In many cases, police departments are
able to share that information with you. Abuse of this information to
threaten, intimidate, or harass registered sex offenders will not be
tolerated. Such abuse can potentially end law enforcement's ability to
share the information. We believe the only people who win if
information is not shared are sex offenders, since they derive
power through secrecy. For your safety, we recommend you regularly
check
Level 2 or Level 3 Sex Offenders in the Redmond Community.
Can the City restrict where sex offenders live?
No. The federal and state courts have repeatedly struck down local
ordinances that restrict where persons may live. The courts have found
that the Constitution protects individual rights, including the
individual rights of sex offenders who have served time in facilities.
How does the City let people in the neighborhoods know about offenders
in the neighborhood?
The Redmond Police Department informs people as soon as they know. If a
sex offender is being released from jail, the Police typically has 30
days advance notice if there is an intention to move here. However, if a
registered sex offender moves from one location to another, then the
police may have no notice at all. In the case of a level three offender
the neighborhood, schools, churches, daycare centers and other places
children gather are notified. The city also schedules a Community
Informational Meeting to be held as soon as practicable after receiving
notice.
What does it mean to be a registered sex offender?
All sex offenders who are released from prison following conviction must
register with the Sheriff‘s department in the County in which they
choose to live. The Sheriff‘s Department then notifies the local
jurisdiction. A registered sex offender is required to notify local law
enforcement where they live within 24 hours of moving.
Besides registering, what else is a registered sex offender required to
do?
Some registered sex offenders have additional restrictions placed upon
them as a condition of their release or probation. However, not all
registered sex offenders have additional conditions beyond registering
and meeting with their assigned probation officer.
How can we make sure our children are safe?
The safety of our children concerns all of us. You should be doing the
following under any circumstances:
- Know where your children are
- Give them a family password
- Go over safety rules regarding not letting people in
the house, not giving away information on the phone or
in person
- Instruct your children to make a lot of noise if
they are afraid
- Encourage them to talk to a trusted friend if they
are afraid
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