Bothell Police DepartmentBothell Police Department

Detective Dione Thompson

Sex Offender Community Information

The history of the Registration LawSex Offender LevelsStatistics on Sex OffendersFamily and Personal Safety PlansChildren’s Response CenterSpecific Sex OffenderQuestion and Answer

Agenda

WHAT DO THESE PEOPLE HAVE IN COMMON?

Registration Law History

Washington State Laws

1988 Diane BallasiotesPioneer Square

Rape and MurderConvicted Sex Offender on Work Release

1988 Diane BallasiotesPioneer Square

Rape and MurderConvicted Sex Offender on Work Release

1989 Helen Harlow’s SonConvicted Sex Offender- Earl Shriner

Considered Dangerous to Publicassaulted and sexually mutilated 7 year old boy

1989 Helen Harlow’s SonConvicted Sex Offender- Earl Shriner

Considered Dangerous to Publicassaulted and sexually mutilated 7 year old boy

Governor’s(Booth Gardner)

Task Force

Governor’s(Booth Gardner)

Task Force

Community Protection ActFebruary 28, 1990

• Registration of Sex Offenders• Civil Commitment (Special Commitment

Center on McNeil Island)• Victim Services• Community Notification

Our Challenge

To be responsible in enforcing the Community Protection Act in order to protect the citizens and protect the Community Protection Act itself.

RCW 9A.44.130

• Registration of Sex/Kidnapping Offenders

Legal Setback 1993

Local Municipality Abused Community NotificationLocal Municipality Abused Community Notification

Ward vs. Statemust consider risk

Ward vs. Statemust consider risk

Federal Statutes

Jacob Wetterling Act

Jacob Wetterling

1989 St. Joseph, MinnesotaJacob was 11 years old on a bike ride with his brother and a friendLast seen being grabbed by masked gunman

1994 Federal Statute-Sex Offender Registration-Limited Notification

Megan’s Law

Megan Kanka

1994 Hamilton, New JerseyWent for a bicycle ride and never returned.Jesse Timmendequass (convicted sex offender) living nearby admitted to luring, raping and killing Megan.

May 1996 federal statute-Requires all states to have community notification on high risk offenders.

Pam Lychner Act

Pam Lychner

Real estate agent in Houston. She was attacked and assaulted by a convicted felon while showing a house to a potential buyer.

Sex Offender Tracking and Identification Act

- Mandated FBI to establish a national sex offender registry by 2000

Who has to Register?

Convicted of Sex/Kidnapping OffenseIn this stateIn another stateIn Federal CourtJuveniles and AdultsThose who lack a fixed residence

Community Notification

• Level 3 Offenders• Level 2 Offenders• Level 1 Offenders• Homeless Offenders

Sex Offender Risk Levels

Sex Offender Scoring Tool (SOST)

Police Reports

PresentencePsychological

CourtFiles

CriminalHistory

Risk Levels

• Level One- Most rated, no violent history, usually know their victims.

• Level Two- Risk to reoffend, multiple victims, grooming of victims, predatory or position of trust.

• Level Three- High risk to reoffend, multiple victims, may use violence and/or weapons, may or may not know their victims.

General Statistics

King County 3892

Level 1 2917Level 2 587Level 3 388

Bothell City Limits

Level 1 31Level 2 7Level 3 4

Total 42

There are over 18,000 sex offenders registered in the state of Washington

There are about 2000 sex offenders who are in violation of the registration laws. Their location is unknown.

Prevention and Safety Planning

Rebecca Milliman, MSWChildren’s Response Center1120 112th Ave NE Suite 130

Bellevue, WA 98004(425) 467-3386

Parents and Children Open communication

• Teach how and when to say NO• Teach correct anatomical names• Talk about safe and unsafe touching• Identify a safety plan and safe people• Listen and believe!

Know with whom your child spends time• Talk with other parents

Check references for babysitters and child care providers• Drop in visits

Parents and Teens Communication

• Maintain open doors• Identify other safe people to talk with

Talk about dating safety• What are respectful relationships?• What should your teen expect from others?

Find ways to stay involved & informed!• You’re still the parent…..

Kids & the Internet Develop and discuss rules of access

• Locate Internet in public area of home Discuss the importance of:

• Why personal information should not be given out

• (teens) Set limits of meeting online “friends” in person

• What to do if someone is asking for personal information

• What to do if something or someone makes them feel uncomfortable

Monitor chat room use Educate yourself to be more Internet

savvy!

Adults Be aware of your surroundings Do not allow strangers in your home

• Verify ID of anyone, including service people and police officers

Phone 911 if suspicious Protect your personal boundaries Trust your instincts!

• That little voice is usually right

Grooming How offenders gain access to their

victims• Obtains immediate insider status

Exceptionally charming Extremely helpful Gains trust from adults

• Creates ‘special’ relationship with a child Engages in peer-like play with children Creates opportunities to be alone with children

• Fails to honor clear boundaries set by adults or children

• Is defensive or secretive

ResourcesChildren’s Response Center

(425) 467-3386

Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress

(206) 521-1800

King County Sexual Assault Resource Center1800-825-7273

Child Protective Services1800-609-8764 or 1800-562-5624

WHAT DO THESE PEOPLE HAVE IN COMMON?

WHAT DO THESE PEOPLE HAVE IN COMMON?

Level 3 Level 3 Level 3 Level 3

Level 3 Level 3 Level 3 Level 3

Level 3 Level 3 Level 3 Level 3

• Can’t tell by looking• They’re everywhere• These are just the known offenders• Doesn’t include those convicted prior to the law

going into effect• Doesn’t include those who have yet to be caught• Doesn’t include those convicted and still

incarcerated

Information Sources

www.kingcounty.gov/sheriff

• Level two• Level three• All King County Agencies• Levels determined by police agency of

jurisdiction.

www.waspc.org

• Level two• Level three• All Washington registered sex offenders as

reported by WSP.• Levels determined by police agency of

jurisdiction.

Access Washington

www.access.wa.gov

• Legislature• Statutes / RCW’s• Upcoming Legislation• Washington State Patrol

FAQ?

“Why aren’t these people locked up for good?”

In 1996, the legislature increased sentences for major sex offenses with passing the “2 strikes law”, which imposed a life sentence for a second sex offense.

Because of problems with the 2 strikes law, in 2001 the legislature passed yet another law. This allowed for indeterminate sentences for those offenders convicted after September 1, 2001. This means that an offender can be kept behind bars for as long as he poses a danger to the community.

Sex Offender

• There will always be sex offenders in King County

• There will always be sex offenders in your neighborhood

• Sex offenders come in all races, ages, and sexes• The largest majority of sex offenses occur in the

home• Stranger assaults are rare• Education and knowledge are our strengths

For More Information…

King County Sheriff’s Office

Kingcounty.gov

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office

Snoco.org

Bothell Police Department

Detective Dione Thompson

425-487-5142