OffenderWatch® Program
The San Juan County Sheriff's Office is pleased to participate in the OffenderWatch® program.
The OffenderWatch® database is updated throughout the day as offender addresses
and other offender information is updated in our office. Click the OffenderWatch® emblem
to access real-time information on the publishable offenders within the specified radius of the
address you enter.
Sex Offender Registration
The 1990 Community Protection Act was enacted to give adequate notice to the communities
of Washington State concerning sex offenders who are, or will be, residing in their
community. Sex offenders have always lived in our communities, but it was not until
the passing of this act that law enforcement was even made aware of where they were
living. In many cases law enforcement is now able to share that information with
the public. This notification is designed to assist community members in developing
constructive plans to prepare themselves and their children in living near released,
convicted sex offenders. The San Juan County Sheriff's Office does not have the
ability to direct where a sex offender chooses to live or work.
As of this date, there are over 12,000 sex offenders in Washington State. San Juan
County has 26 offenders at the lowest risk level and 5 are classified as
Intermediate risks (see links below for descriptions of the risk levels). State wide there
are over 2600 unregistered offenders being actively pursued by law enforcement.
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Citizen abuse of this information to threaten, intimidate or harass sex offenders
will not be tolerated. Such abuse could potentially end our current ability to release
this important information to the public and may result in the prosecution of the
citizen committing the offense. These registered sex offenders ARE NOT wanted persons.
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This notification is not intended to increase fear. It is our belief that an informed
public is a safer public. We believe the only person who wins if community notification
ends is the sex offender, since sex offenders derive their power through secrecy.
LEVEL 1 Notification Guidelines
Washington State law strictly limits public disclosure of all Level 1 registered
sex offender information. Information concerning this level of registration shall
be shared with other law enforcement agencies, and upon request, relevant, necessary
and accurate information may be disclosed to any victim or witness to the offense
AND to any community member who lives near the residence where the offender resides,
expects to reside, or is regularly found. Level 1 sex offenders MAY NOT be subject
to general public notification. Level 1 sex offenders meet most, if not all, the
following criteria and are considered a LOW RISK to the community.
- Offense is non-violent
- Offense commited in a family setting
- Offender has completed a treatment program
- Overall the offender is a low risk to the general public
LEVEL 1 Sex Offenders
There are currently eighteen (18) Level 1 offenders in San Juan County. You may
contact the Sheriff's Office directly at 96 N Second St in Friday Harbor, or telephone
360-378-4151, to receive specific information about one of these individuals, if
you meet the criteria listed in the Level 1 Notification Guidelines.
LEVEL 2 Notification Guidelines
Washington State law prohibits the public disclosure of Level 2 registered sex offender
information except under specfic criteria. Level 2 notifications are made to public
and private schools, child day care centers, family day care providers; businesses
and organizations that serve primarily children, women, or vulnerable adults; and
neighbors and community groups near where the offender resides, expects to reside,
or is regularly found. Level 2 offenders MAY NOT be subject to a general public
notification. Level 2 registered sex offenders are considered to be an intermediate
or moderate risk for re-offending in the community and they meet most, if not all,
of the following criteria:
- Offense occurred outside the family setting
- Victim is not a blood relative
- Offender may or may not have successfully completed a treatment program
- Multiple offenses
- Offender poses a risk to the general community residing in the immediate area of
the offender
- Offender has predatory tendencies in that they involve themselves with families
or communities where there are opportunities to seek out and groom victims.
LEVEL 2 Sex Offenders
There is currently one (1) Level 2 offender in San Juan County. You may contact
the Sheriff's Office directly at 96 N Second St in Friday Harbor, or telephone 360-378-4151,
to receive specific information about this individual, if you meet the criteria
listed in the Level 2 Notification Guidelines.
LEVEL 3 Notification Guidelines
Washington State law requires that the general public be notified of information
on Level 3 registered sex offenders. Information must be relevant, accurate and
necessary in it's detail. Level 3 offenders are considered to be a HIGH RISK to
re-offend in the community and meet most, if not all, of the following criteria:
- Offender exhibits predatory tendencies as defined by
RCW 71.09.020
- Criminal history of repeated sexual offenses, or other acts that include violence
- Offender has NOT completed a treatment program
- Sex offenses directed toward strangers and/or the general public
- Offender expresses intention and/or desire to continue committing offenses
- Offender diagnosed as a sexual predator by mental health professional
- Offenses have been directed toward individuals with whom the relationship has been
established or promoted for the primary purpose of victimization.
Level 3 Sex Offenders
There
is currently one Level 3 offender in San Juan County.