Voice of the Mid-Columbia | Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash. |
Print
E-Mail
tool name
close
I recently received notification of a Level 3 sex offender moving into my neighborhood. I receive these notices more often than I would like, but the reality is there are many more in my neighborhood that I'm unaware of.
With more than 700 registered sex offenders in Benton & Franklin counties, I would prefer to know where they are so I can keep my family safe. It is up to each jurisdiction to determine how the community is notified of Level 2 and 3 offenders.
Both Benton and Franklin counties have websites with a notification tool called Offender Watch. It explains how offenders are rated, provides offender information and has safety tips for parents. You can search for offenders in your area by entering your home address and register for e-mail alerts to receive the latest information about those offenders.
City law enforcement and the Department of Corrections also facilitate notification meetings when an offender is released. Community members are encouraged to attend these meetings to learn more about the offender moving into their neighborhood.
These are all great resources, and any help we can have in tracking offenders only makes our community safer.
MITZI VENG, Sexual Assault Response Center, Kennewick
@Nyx.CommentBody@