Registered Sex Offenders

By law, convicted sex offenders must register with the County Sheriff's office of the County in which they reside. If an offender resides within the city limits of Lake Forest Park, the Sheriff's office sends notification of the offender's registration to the Lake Forest Park Police Department.

Classification

Sex Offenders are classified into one of three levels based upon the crime they were convicted of and their history:

Level 1

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

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

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.

About Sex Offender Awareness

The entire State of Washington has a little over 16,000 registered sex offenders. Of that number approximately 3,500 are registered in King County, and approximately 1,200 are registered in Snohomish 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.

The Lake Forest Park Police Department has chosen to place links here to both the King County Sheriff's office and the Snohomish County Sheriff's office which list registered sex offenders in each county. While the City of Lake Forest Park has a total of eleven registered sex offenders within the city limits, there are other registered sex offenders who live just outside the City. By linking you to the County web sites you will get a broader picture of offenders who live near your home or place of work. Each web site also has answers to frequently asked questions and some additional safety information.

King County Sex Offender Search

Search for Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders by name and zipcode. These people have served their sentences and have been released.

Snohomish County Sex Offender Search

Search for Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders by name and zipcode. These people have served their sentences and have been released.

Washington State Sex Offender Information Center

The purpose of this site is to provide information to the public concerning the location of sex offenders within Washington. This site is NOT intended to supplant the community notification process, but rather, it allows the criminal justice community to promote public awareness concerning the potential threat that sex offender's pose to Washington's citizens. An informed public is a safer public.

Frequently Asked Questions About Registered Sex Offenders

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 City Police Department informs people as soon as they know. If a sex offender is being released from jail, the City Police typically have 90 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 as little as 24 hours notice. 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

How can my neighborhood organize a block watch?

Contact Pam Martin at 206-364-8216 extension 545 to get more information. She is available to help neighborhoods get involved in the Block Watch program.

How does the Police Department handle notification?

Our policy is to get the information out as quickly and accurately as possible. For a level 3 offender we initiate the following procedures:

1. The Lake Forest Park Police Department receives official notification from King County Sheriffs Office that a sex offender has moved into the city.
2. Lake Forest Park Detectives conduct an exhaustive and thorough background investigation on the offender.
3. Based on the background investigation, the detectives use a standardized scoring tool to determine the offender's risk level, 1, 2, or 3.
There is a meeting with command staff to review and approve the file, risk assessment, and notification bulletin.
4. A community notification bulletin is drafted.
5. After approval, the notification bulletin goes out to area law enforcement, media, churches, schools, childcare facilities, and the residents in the immediate neighborhood of the offender. The information is also placed on the City of Lake Forest Park web site.
6. A copy of the notification notice is hand delivered to the immediate neighborhood where the individual has chosen to live. (The area is approximately a four block radius around the individual's location)
7. The notice will be mailed to all addresses within a one-half mile radius around the individual's location.
8. A community notification meeting is held. Information about any new level 2 or 3 offenders will be included in the next issue of the Town Crier, the City of Lake Forest Park newsletter.

The law does not define any specific timelines for this process, but it is our policy to respond as quickly as practicable to these situations.

Can we post the notification flyer in parks or places children gather?

State law restricts how much information the City of Lake Forest Park can divulge about individual sex offenders depending on their level of offense. Even though they have been convicted of a sex offense, they still have many of their privacy rights. We can post notices for Level 2 and 3 offenders in public places, but not Level 1 offenders.