What is a registered sex offender?

Sex offenders are individuals who have committed a sex offense as defined in RCW 9A.44.128 and 9.94A.030 and are required to register as a sex offender. Washington state sex offender laws apply to juvenile as well as adult sex offenders.

Do offenders have restrictions on where they can live?

It depends on whether the offender is under supervision by the Department of Corrections or Department of Social and Health Services—Rehabilitation Administration. If offenders are under supervision they may have certain limitations or restrictions placed on them by the Department of Corrections or the sentencing court upon their release from incarceration. Some communities may have local ordinances relative to sex offender housing. Contact local law enforcement with specific questions regarding an offender.

Classifications

Sex Offenders are classified into one of three levels based upon the crime they were convicted of and their history:

Level 1

The majority of registered sex offenders are classified as Level 1 offenders. They are considered at low risk to re-offend. These individuals may be first time offenders and they usually know their victims.

Level 1 offenders are not published on the Washington State Sex Offender Registry. However, out of compliance and transient level 1 offenders are published. Please note: roughly 70% of Registered Sex Offenders are Level 1 offenders, and are not published on the public website.

Level 2

Level 2 offenders have a moderate risk of re-offending within the community at large. Level 2 offenders are published on the Washington State Sex offender Registry.

Level 3

Level 3 offenders are considered to have a high risk to re-offend within the community at large. Level 3
offenders are published on the Washington State Sex offender Registry.

Awareness

The entire State of Washington has a little over 20,000 registered sex offenders. Of that number approximately 4,300 are registered in King County, and approximately 1,750 are registered in Snohomish County. So while it is important to be aware of registered sex offenders in your neighborhood, since we are such a mobile society, it is also important to practice safety precautions in all aspects of your life and travels.

Outside Resources

The Lake Forest Park Police Department has chosen to place links here to both the King County Sheriff's Office and the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office which list registered sex offenders in each county. While the City of Lake Forest Park has a total of 17 registered sex offenders within the city limits, there are other registered sex offenders who live just outside the city. Only Level 2 and 3 sex offenders are the listed on the public search. By linking you to the County websites you will get a broader picture of offenders who live near your home or place of work. Each website also has answers to frequently asked questions and some additional safety information.

Offender Watch

Washington Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police (WASPC) sponsors Offender Watch. The police department encourages our community to search Offender Watch through the King County website. For more information on Sex Offenders in Washington State, visit the WASPC Sex Offender Information.

Click here to go directly to the Current Sex Offenders in Lake Forest Park.

Release protocols are governed by RCW 4.24.550. The site provides information to the public concerning the location of sex offenders within Washington. The site is not intended to supplant the community notification process, but rather, it allows the criminal justice community to promote public awareness concerning the potential threat that sex offender's pose to Washington's citizens.

An informed public is a safer public.