SEX OFFENDER INFORMATION - LEVEL II AND III NOTIFICATIONS

The Othello Police Department is releasing the following information pursuant to RCW 4.24.550 and the Washington State Supreme Court decision in State v. Ward, which authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offenders release when; in the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety and protection.

The individual who appears on this notification has been convicted of a sex offense that requires registration with the sheriff’s office in the county of their residence. 

This sex offender has served the sentence imposed on him by the courts and has advised the Othello Police Department that he/she will be living in the location below.  HE/SHE IS NOT WANTED BY THE POLICE AT THIS TIME. THIS NOTIFICATION IS NOT INTENDED TO INCREASE FEAR; RATHER, IT IS OUR BELIEF THAT AN INFORMED PUBLIC IS A SAFER PUBLIC. 

The Othello Police Department has no legal authority to direct where a sex offender may or may not live. Unless court ordered restrictions exist, this offender is constitutionally free to live wherever he chooses.

Sex offenders have always lived in our communities; but it wasn’t until the passage of the Community Protection Act of 1990 (which mandates sex offender registration) that law enforcement even knew where they were living.  In many cases, law enforcement is now able to share that information with you.  Citizen abuse of this information to threaten, intimidate, or harass registered sex offenders will not be tolerated.  Further, such abuse could end law enforcement’s ability to do community notifications.  We believe the only person who wins if community notification ends is the sex offender, since sex offenders derive their power through secrecy.

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