Offender Watch provides a user-friendly sex offender website, enabling the community to search county and statewide databases of Level II and Level III registered sex and kidnapping offenders. The program also includes Level I registered sex offenders who are not domiciled and live at large. Citizens may enter any address of interest and receive a populated map that lists offenders registered within two miles of that address. They may also register to receive e-mail alerts if an offender should register as residing within two miles of the location or locations they select.

The program was funded by the Legislature as part of the Governor’s initiative to enhance sex offender monitoring and there is no cost for the public to register or receive notifications. The program is coordinated by the Washington Association of Sheriff’s and Police Chiefs and operated by Washington’s 39 Sheriffs Offices.

Community members may register as many addresses as they wish. Offender Watch can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office website by linking to “Sex Offender Registration.”  The site also contains safety tips, information on talking to children about sex offenders and links to all local law enforcement agencies.

Offender Watch will be offered throughout Washington State and is used by over 400 law enforcement agencies in 31 states. Sheriff Elfo said: “One of the best ways to prevent crime is through public awareness, education and by providing readily available information. This program will assist us in tracking offenders, providing current and accurate information to the public and enhancing our efforts to keep our communities safe.”

The Legislature also provided funding to enhance law enforcement’s efforts to monitor sex and kidnapping offenders. The Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Police Departments in Bellingham, Blaine, Everson-Nooksack, Ferndale, Lummi Nation, Lynden, the Nooksack Tribe, Sumas Police Department and Western Washington University in this regard.

Further links:

The Washington State Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs Web site: www.icrimewatch.net/washington.php will link you to information on Level 2 and Level 3 offenders across the state.

For the Bellingham Police Department: www.cob.org then click on "News" and then Sex Offender Notices under "Quick Links".

The Ferndale Police Department at: www.ferndalepd.org

The U.S. Department of Justice runs a national sex offender database at: www.nsopw.gov

The Washington State Community Protection Act of 1990 and the state Supreme Court's decision in State vs. Ward in 1994 outline the standards for the release of information about sex offenders.

Please note: Many sites warn that if people use the information to harass or intimidate sex offenders, the 
incidents could lead to an end to public information on offenders' whereabouts. People also may be prosecuted for 
such crimes.