The Clyde Hill Police Department considers the protection of the community from sex offenders of significant importance. The objective of the 1990 Community Protection Act was to provide adequate notice to the community concerning sex offenders who are, or will be residing the community, and to assist community members in developing constructive plans to prepare themselves and their children for residing near released sex offenders.

This Department releases sex offender information pursuant to RCW 4.24.550 which authorizes law enforcement to: release information to the public regarding sex offenders when the agency determines that disclosure of information is relevant and necessary to protect the public and to counteract the danger created by the particular offender. The content of the information made available, as well as where and how the information is disseminated, is restricted to the standards set forth in Chapter 4.24 and by the Washington State Supreme Court ruling in State v. Ward, 123 Wa 2d 488 (1994).

The Washington State Legislature has determined that the extent of the public disclosure of relevant and necessary information shall be related to: (a) the level of risk posed by the offender to the community; (b) the location where the offender resides, intends to reside, or is regularly found; and (c) the needs of the affected community members for information to enhance their individual and collective safety.

Released sex offenders are classified under one of three "risk levels". Sex offenders whose risk assessments indicate a low risk of reoffense within the community are classified as "Level I". Sex offenders whose risk assessments indicate a moderate risk of reoffense within the community are classified as "Level II". Sex offenders whose risk assessments indicate a high risk of reoffense within the community are classified as "Level III". The following guidelines are used to determine the extent of public disclosure:

Level I - Information shall be shared with other law enforcement agencies and, upon request, the Department may disclose relevant, necessary and accurate information to any victim or witness to the offense and to any individual community member who lives near the residence where the offender resides, expects to reside, or is regularly found. Level I offenders MAY NOT be the subject of general public Notification.

Level II - Relevant, necessary and accurate information concerning risk Level II offenders may be disclosed to public and private schools, child day care centers, family day car providers, businesses and organizations that serve primarily children, women or vulnerable adults, and neighbors and community groups near the residence where the offender resides, expects to resides, or is regularly found. Level II offenders MAY NOT be the subject of general public Notification.

Level III - Relevant, accurate and necessary information concerning offenders classified as risk Level III MAY BE disclosed to the public at large.

The Clyde Hill Police Department is releasing the following information pursuant to RCW 4.24.550 and the Washington State Supreme Court Decision in State v. Ward, 123 Wa 2d 488 (1994). Law enforcement agencies are authorized to inform the public of a sex offender's release from confinement, or change or residence, when such information will enhance public safety and protection.

This notification is not intended to increase fear; rather it is our belief that an informed public is a safer public.

Sex offenders, although rare, have lived in our communities and the Clyde Hill Police Department has no legal authority to direct where sex offenders may or may not live. Unless court ordered restrictions exist, an offender is constitutionally free to live wherever he or she chooses. However, the Community Protection Act of 1990 requires that those convicted of felony sex offenses must register, with the primary legislative intent, "to assist law enforcement agencies' efforts to protect their communities" by providing relevant and necessary information.

*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.