Community Notification Meetings

The Jacob Wetterling Resource Center has been instrumental in advocating for legislation that protects families and contributes to safer communities.  The Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act of 1994 (Jacob’s Law) is a federal statute that requires states to enact sex offender registration legislation and further authorizes states to enact community notification for certain convicted and released sex offenders. In 1996, Jacob’s Law was amended to require that every state enact a community notification law or lose federal crime control funds. This amendment is known as Megan’s Law.  Each state is allowed to implement their own method of conducting community notification as long as it meets federal guidelines.

The Jacob Wetterling Resource Center (JWRC) was deeply involved in the legislative development and passage of Minnesota’s community notification law that applies to sex offenders convicted or released after January 1, 1997. Today JWRC continues to work with law enforcement, providing educational materials and speakers to help educate communities about the law, strategies for safer neighborhoods, and child safety. 

Community notification denies sex offenders the secrecy that could be used to prey on unknowing victims. Notification provides an opportunity for local law enforcement to share information with the community so that citizens can make well informed decisions with regard to their safety and welfare.  While the community is being informed about a specific offender, it is important to remember that the safety information also applies to unknown offenders and situations.  With this new knowledge, the residents collectively have the ability to hold the offender accountable for their daily behavior, and in so doing, contribute to building a safer community.

The Process

Although all sex offenders are required to register, only those deemed to have a high likelihood to re-offend are subject to widespread notification.  Prior to the release of a sex offender, they are assigned a risk-to-offend level of 1, 2, or 3 by the “End of Confinement Review Committee”(ECRC).  Information about the offender, including their risk level, is then sent to the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over the location where they intend to reside.  Based on the risk level of the offender, who the offender is likely to encounter, and any patterns of victimization the offender has demonstrated in the past, law enforcement will determine who should be notified.  Law enforcement must follow guidelines that limit the scope of disclosure for each risk level.

Risk Levels

Level 1- The offender has a lower risk of re-offending

• Law enforcement may share information about these offenders with other law enforcement agencies.
• Law enforcement may notify victims or witnesses who have requested disclosure.

Level 2- The offender has a moderate risk of re-offending

• In addition to Level 1 notifications, law enforcement may share information about Level 2 offenders with staff members of organizations that serve those likely to be victimized by the offender such as schools and daycares.
• Law enforcement may also notify individuals likely to be victimized by the offender as determined by examining the offender’s past patterns of behavior and victim preferences.

Level 3- The offender has a higher risk of re-offending

• Law enforcement may share information with any other member of the public likely to encounter the offender.

*Note that these risk levels are determined by a multidisciplinary panel (ECRC) who reviews a variety of offender characteristics and past behavior.  It is not possible to predict with certainty the future behavior of another person.

Questions and Answers

Why is a convicted sex offender moving into your community?

The offender was found guilty or plead guilty to the sex offense for which they were charged.  When an offender is released from prison, they often return to the same residence they lived in when the crime was committed because of family support structures and/or a family member’s offer of a home to live in.  Once an offender has completed their sentence the state does not necessarily have any control over where they choose to live.  Currently, the State of Minnesota does not have residency restriction laws enacted and although research on this issue is limited, their has been little evidence thus far that suggests that such legislation would be effective at enhancing community safety.

Will you be told if or when the offender moves out of your neighborhood?

Law enforcement does not have a legal obligation to inform residents if an offender relocates to another community; however, the Minnesota Department of Corrections maintains a public website that can identify if a Level 3 Sex Offender is currently living in a specific geographic region.

What should you do if you think that the offender is acting suspiciously or violating the terms of their release?

If you suspect that the offender has committed a crime call law enforcement (911).  If you observe the offender acting suspiciously, call law enforcement (911).  Do not hesitate to call the police even if you are unsure as to the nature of their behavior.  Ultimately, it is better to call police and let them evaluate if the offender is acting within the terms of their release.

*If you would like clarification on the general terms of their release contact their supervising agent.

 
* Note that the right to be notified of Level 3 Sex Offender residency must be protected.  Please do not engage in harassing behavior toward the offender as this may cause legislators to reconsider such laws.

• Attend community notification meetings in your neighborhood.
• Invite a speaker from JWRC to visit your school, PTA, community, or workplace.
• Review safety tips.  JWRC can provide safety information for children, teens, and parents.
• Contact JWRC about the "Community Notification Video" that can be shown at your community meeting.
• Talk to your children about appropriate relationships and the importance of always sharing details of people they meet or are approached by.  Open communication between parents and children is fundamental to family safety.  If you are informed that a sex offender is moving into your community, explain in general terms that this person has hurt someone before and that children should stay away from this person.  Avoid scary details.  Speak to children in age-appropriate ways.

 Some topics to include in your discussion:

• Review safety tips and common lures used by offenders.
• Explain the importance of avoiding dangerous situations in addition to teaching how to avoid this particular person.
• Explain that they should never accept a ride, gift, or invitation from any adult without their parent’s permission.
• Explain that they should never accept a ride, gift, or invitation from this offender.
• Explain that they should never go into the home or yard of the offender.