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1. What is the definition of a Level III sex offender?

These offenders pose a potential high risk to the community and are a threat to re-offend if provided the opportunity. Most have prior sex crime convictions as well as other criminal convictions. Their lifestyles and choices place them in this classification. Some have predatory characteristics and may seek out victims. They may have refused or failed to complete approved treatment programs.

2. What is the definition of a Level II sex offender?

These offenders present a moderate risk to the community and they have a higher likelihood of re-offending than the Level 1 offenders. They are considered a higher risk to re-offend, because of the nature of their previous crime(s) and lifestyle (drug and alcohol abuse and other criminal activity). Some have refused to participate or failed to complete approved treatment programs.

3. What is the definition of a Level I sex offender?

These offenders present the lowest possible risk to the community and their likelihood to re-offend is considered minimal. They normally have not exhibited predatory type characteristics and most have successfully participated or are participating in approved treatment programs. Many are 1st time offenders.

4. Why is the offender moving into my neighborhood?

This individual has committed a crime that has been reported to a police agency. That agency investigated the report and arrested the individual. The local prosecuting attorney for that jurisdiction determined the criminal statutes violated. They charged the suspect with those violations and went to court to convict this individual of those crimes. The offender was either found guilty by a judge or jury, or as happens in some cases, pled guilty to the offenses which he/she was charged.

When an offender is released from prison, he/she usually returns to the same area of residence from which they lived when the crime was committed. Most offenders are released to the jurisdictions that originally gained the conviction. Sometimes offenders are released to another jurisdiction because they may have family support there, additional treatment to complete at a program located in the other jurisdiction, or they may have found a job in the area that will lead to a productive lifestyle.

5. Do offenders have restrictions on where they can live?

It depends on whether the offender is under supervision by the Department of Corrections / Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration. If offenders are under supervision, they have certain limitations or restrictions placed on them by the Department of Corrections or the sentencing court upon their release from incarceration. These may include:

• Residency Restrictions
• Not Being Around Children
• Having a Curfew
• Not Drinking Alcohol or Taking Drugs

If they are found to be in violation of their restrictions, they may be sent back to jail or to prison. Offenders who have completed their time under supervision can live where they choose without restrictions.

All offenders are only bound by conditions of supervision while they are on active supervision by the Department of Corrections, Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (parole), or their probation officer. After completing active supervision, the offender’s only requirement is that of continuing to register as a sex offender as required by law. Length of supervision varies based on the crime of conviction, and when they were convicted. For certain offense, the offender may be on lifetime supervision.

6. When is the Bremerton Police Department going to move the offender out of my neighborhood?

Law enforcement agencies have no authority to place restrictions on where sex offenders can live in any community. Unless court ordered restrictions exist, the offender is constitutionally free to live wherever he or she chooses. The Bremerton Police Department is granted the authority to provide community notification about specific offenders considered a moderate or high risk to the community. We also routinely verify that all sex offenders registered in the city limits of Bremerton are living where they are registered, and we also actively seek out those offenders that fail to register or fail to make proper notification of an address change.

7. Is the City of Bremerton doing anythin g to prevent offenders from living in Bremerton?

No. The legislature has made it clear that cities may not enact laws to restrict where sex offenders
may live. (RCW 9.94A.8445)

8. If the offender is so dangerous, why are you letting him/her out in the 1st place?

Washington is one of the states that have specific sentence ranges for each crime. These sentence lengths are called presumptive sentences and are determined by the Washington State Legislature (this is called determinate sentencing). When this offender was sentenced to prison by the judge, the length of required prison time was within the range.

Someone with no previous offenses has a shorter sentence than someone who has been in trouble before. A person, who has a previous offense against a person, will be sentenced to a longer term than someone whose previous offense was a property crime. These possibilities are included in the sentencing guidelines.

On some occasions, judges don’t follow the guidelines. This is called an exceptional sentence. When a judge has a compelling reason to depart from the sentencing guidelines above or below, he or she must submit the reasons for that departure into the court record.

At some point in time, the offender will have served the sentence required by law and must be released. Once the sentence is finished, neither the Law Enforcement Agency, nor the Court has the power to tell the offender where to live or work.

9. Why are you only telling me about this offender and not all of the other people who get out of prison?

The Community Protection Act of 1990 only involves those offenders who have violated the criminal sexual conduct statutes, the kidnapping statutes, or other statutes with a finding of sexual motivation.

The Bremerton Police Department will release information on Level 3 registered sex offenders in the city limits of Bremerton in accordance with the Community Protection Act and related statutes. This information is not intended to create panic or alarm. The intent is to inform our citizens and to enhance community safety and awareness. These individuals have served the sentence imposed by the courts and in compliance with the Community Protection Act, have advised the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office that they will be living within the city limits of Bremerton.

10. Now that I know a sex offender lives in my neighborhood, what should I do differently to protect myself and my family?

Open communication between parents and children are vital components of family safety. In general terms, tell your children that this person has hurt someone before. Explain to them that they should stay away from this individual. Review safety tips, and be aware of common lures. Remember that the purpose behind community notification is to reduce the chances of future victimization of persons by an offender. The information gained through a notification should assist you and your family in avoiding situations that allow for easy access to victims.

Citizen abuse of this information to threaten, intimidate or harass registered sex offenders will not be tolerated. Further, such abuse could potentially 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.

11. What do I tell my children about an offender?

Avoid scary details. You may know more than your children need to know. Keep information general, as it may protect them from others who try to harm them as well. Explain the importance of avoiding dangerous situations in general, rather than trying to teach them how to be safe from just the 1 person you know about. Some basics:

• Don’t accept a ride from the offender or any stranger.
• Don’t go into the home or yard of the offender.
• Tell your parents if this person offers you toys, money, or gifts.
• Try to use the buddy system when children play outdoors.
• Call 911 if your parents aren’t home and you are approached by this offender.

12. Are you going to tell us if the offender moves out of this neighborhood, so we don’t have to worry anymore?

The Bremerton Police Department does not notify the public when sex offenders move out of the city. If you would like to stay informed regarding the status of a specific offender, or want information about offenders in a particular area, we suggest you visit the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office sex offender website to look at current information.

The fact that a sex offender has moved out of your neighborhood, does not necessarily make your neighborhood a safer place. Taking universal precautions to educate yourself and your family to protect them from anyone who would harm them is the best course of action.

If you have any questions, please contact the Bremerton Police Department’s Community Resource Unit at 360-473-5231.