In an effort to address the concerns of the neighborhood, Friends of Weinland Park hosted a panel of speakers on sexual predators. This was the first panel in a series the group is organizing called “Crime Alerts.”
Detective Chris Floyd, from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, spoke about the facts of sexual predators living in Franklin County.
He said the sentencing court determines how each offender is classified.
There are currently 752 sex offenders living in Franklin County. Of the 752, 132 have been classified as sexual predators, the most severe classification. Eight are habitual offenders and the public must be notified of their residence, and 27 are habitual offenders who do not require the notification of the public.
There are also 594 people who have been classified as sexually-oriented offenders — those convicted of corruption of a minor and other less severe sex crimes.
Floyd also said the offenders must register with the sheriff’s department every 90 days for life.
Three detectives monitor the offenders and periodically verify their residence. The law states all public schools and day care centers within 1,000 feet of the offender’s residence must be notified.
“Last year 900,000 letters were sent at a cost of $250,000, which came out of taxpayers’ pockets,” Floyd said.
Sharon Haines, from the Adult Parole Authority, commented on the APA’s role in making the public aware of criminal offenders. The APA’s mission is to “protect the public from violence and other crime by convicted offenders through the building and sharing of offender information with victims, the courts and other justice agencies.”
Haines said seven parole officers work with 230 offenders, 50 to 55 of which are special-needs cases, in which the parolees are monitored by sexual offender specialists.
“The highest level of supervision is ‘intensive,’ which requires constant contact with the parolee, making sure the person registers with the sheriff’s department, providing treatment programs and holding monthly meetings,” she said.
Haines also said sex offenders in Franklin County live with special conditions. They are not allowed to possess any sex publications, children’s toys or cameras. Also, special needs offenders are not allowed to have contact with children and have limited computer access.
“Our first thought is public safety and possible victimization if the offender commits a crime again,” Haines said. “A reduced caseload for our officers gives them more time to spend with family members of the offenders to address any issues in question.”
The forum not only covered sexual offenders in Franklin County and how they are monitored, but also touched on how children are affected.
Nancy Ratchcliff from the Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio spoke about services her group provides. She said SARNCO is committed to providing medical and support services to victims of sexual assault and keeping children safe from sexual predators.
“Usually the offender is someone who has access to the child,” Ratchcliff said. “We have to teach children that they have a right to their body so they know when they are being violated.”
SARNCO works with parents to help ensure children are not susceptible to sexual crimes.
The Community Health Access Project focuses on pregnant women and children in Columbus. CHAP community care coordinators identify people needing health or social services assistance and provide them with appropriate community resources.
Amber Boddy-Jackson, a member of CHAP, said they make regular home visits and take the opportunity to ensure women and children in the household are not being sexually abused.
“We really just want everyone to have a healthier outcome,” she said.
Ken Halcie from the Department of Homeland Security addressed sexual predators on the Internet.
“The best advice I can offer is to keep the computers out of kids’ rooms,” he said. “Parents should monitor Internet use, because sexual predators can pose as children in chat rooms and lure children away from their home.”
Halcie also said to notify state and local authorities if anything suspicious is discovered by parents.
Sexual offender information can be found at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department’s Web site.
