1. Bothell Police Department
Sex Offender Community Information
Detective Dione Thompson

2. Agenda The history of the Registration Law Sex Offender Levels
Statistics on Sex Offenders
Family and Personal Safety Plans
Children’s Response Center
Specific Sex Offender
Question and Answer

4. Registration Law History
To understand how we came together tonight, we have to go back to 1988.

5. Washington State Laws 1989 Helen Harlow’s Son 1988 Diane Ballasiotes
Convicted Sex Offender- Earl Shriner
Considered Dangerous to Public
assaulted and sexually mutilated 7 year old boy
1988 Diane Ballasiotes
Pioneer Square
Rape and Murder
Convicted Sex Offender on Work Release
Ballasiotes – Left work in Pioneer Square. She was abducted, raped, and murdered by Gene Kane. He had just finished a 13 yr. sentence for previous attacks on other women. After being released from prison, he was placed in a work release facility, which he walked away from.
Nothing in place for L.E. to track or warn communities about dangerous offenders like this.
Governor’s
(Booth Gardner)
Task Force

6. Community Protection Act February 28, 1990
Registration of Sex Offenders
Civil Commitment (Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island)
Victim Services
Community Notification
Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators - Washington State first in nation!
Convicted of sexually violent offenses, AND…
Suffers from a mental abnormality/personality disorder AND
Predisposed as “likely” to engage in “predatory” acts of sexual violence.

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

8. RCW 9A
Registration of Sex/Kidnapping Offenders

9. Legal Setback 1993 Local Municipality Abused Community Notification
For Level 1 Offenders, absent a threat, disclosure would serve no legitimate purpose. Public agencies must have some evidence of an offender’s future dangerousness, likelihood of re-offense or threat to the community to justify disclosure to the public.
Ward vs. State
must consider risk

10. Federal Statutes
Some Federal Statutes and how they came to be….

11. Jacob Wetterling Act Jacob Wetterling 1989 St. Joseph, Minnesota
Jacob was 11 years old on a bike ride with his brother and a friend
Last seen being grabbed by masked gunman
1994 Federal Statute
-Sex Offender Registration
-Limited Notification
Congress passed Jacob Wetterling Act that mandated all states and territories to set up sex offender registration programs by Sept. 13, 1997

12. Megan’s Law Megan Kanka 1994 Hamilton, New Jersey
Went 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.
Amendment to Jacob Wetterling Act that allows community notification on high risk offenders, especially those that prey on children. Modeled after Washington State… requires all states to have Community Notification.

14. 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

15. Who has to Register? Convicted of Sex/Kidnapping Offense In this state
In another state
In Federal Court
Juveniles and Adults
Those who lack a fixed residence

16. Community Notification
Level 3 Offenders
Level 2 Offenders
Level 1 Offenders
Homeless Offenders

17. Sex Offender Risk Levels
Sex Offender Scoring Tool (SOST)
Police
Reports
Presentence
Psychological
Criminal
History
Court
Files

18. 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.

19. General Statistics King County 3892 Level 1 2917 Level 2 587

20. Bothell City Limits
Level
Level
Level
Total

21. 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.

22. Prevention and Safety Planning
Rebecca Milliman, MSW
Children’s Response Center
th Ave NE Suite 130
Bellevue, WA
(425)

23. 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

24. Parents and Teens Communication Talk about dating safety
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…..

25. 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!

27. 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

28. 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

29. Resources
Children’s Response Center (425) Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress (206) King County Sexual Assault Resource Center Child Protective Services or

32. These are just the known offenders
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
Registration laws went into effect February 28, 1990

33. Information Sources

34. www.kingcounty.gov/sheriff Level two Level three
All King County Agencies
Levels determined by police agency of jurisdiction.

35. www.waspc.org Level two Level three
All Washington registered sex offenders as reported by WSP.
Levels determined by police agency of jurisdiction.

36. Access Washington www.access.wa.gov Legislature Statutes / RCW’s
Upcoming Legislation
Washington State Patrol

37. 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, This means that an offender can be kept behind bars for as long as he poses a danger to the community.

38. 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

39. For More Information… King County Sheriff’s Office Kingcounty.gov
Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office
Snoco.org
Bothell Police Department
Detective Dione Thompson