The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office is receiving $90,593.73 through the state’s Registered Sex Offender and Kidnapping Offender Address Verification Program. This program, created in 2010, provides funding for sheriff’s offices across Washington to conduct face-to-face address verifications of registered offenders, as required under RCW 9A.44.130.

The Sex/Kidnapping Offender Registration Law allows the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office to register and track convicted offenders.

This year, more than $4.81 million will be distributed statewide to support these verifications. The goal is to maintain the accuracy of the Sex Offender Registry and ensure enforcement of sex offender registration laws.

In Clallam County, the Sheriff’s Office oversees registration, community notification, and verification in accordance with state law (RCWs 4.24.550, 9A.44.130, 9A.44.135, 36.28A.230, among others). The county delegates offender notification and verification to the City of Port Angeles and Sequim Police Departments, ensuring that officers are aware of offenders residing within their jurisdictions.

Frequency

Face-to-face verification frequency depends on the offender’s assigned risk level. Here are the levels and the frequency of verification for each:

Level I offenders: once every 12 months

Level II offenders: once every 6 months

Level III offenders: once every 3 months

Transient offenders: must check in with the Sheriff’s Department once a week

Definitions

A risk level is assigned based on an offender’s likelihood to re-offend. A risk assessment tool helps determine this classification.

Level 1: Lowest risk. These individuals typically have not shown predatory behavior, may be first-time offenders, and often participate in treatment programs.

Level 2: Moderate risk. These offenders have a higher likelihood of re-offending, often due to criminal history, substance abuse, or failure to complete treatment programs.

Level 3: High risk. These offenders often have multiple convictions, predatory tendencies, and a significant likelihood of re-offending.

It is important to note that the Sheriff’s Office cannot legally dictate where sex offenders may live. Unless restricted by a court order or conditions of Department of Corrections supervision, offenders are constitutionally free to choose their residence.

Learn more

For more information on the Sex Offender Registration and Verification Program, or to search for offenders living in your area, visit the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office website at clallamcountywa.gov/497/Sheriff. Click on our Sex Offender Registry link.

To speak directly with the Sex/Kidnapping Offender registrar, Deputy Sandra Waterhouse, call 360-417-2266.