List of Handout Recommendations

Seattle Police Department/Snohomish County Sheriff's Office Washington

These handouts and their desired results include:

· A copy of the subject notification. This handout also includes the number of sex offenders statewide, in King County, in Seattle and the number that have not registered. Desired result: shows the reader that theirs is not the only neighborhood with a resident sex offender; they are everywhere.

· The police precinct map for their location showing patrol car districts and the number of sex offenders residing within each district. Desired result: once again, shows the reader that theirs is not the only neighborhood with a resident sex offender.

· A copy of "Community Notification: How Decisions are Made," a handout showing the steps law enforcement takes in performing a community notification. The handout also includes charts showing recidivism rates for sex offenders. Desired result: helps people realize a large number of sex offenders will not re-offend and will hopefully become productive, law abiding members of society.

· A copy of the WSIPP chart defining sex crimes and crimes against children. Desired result: helps the public understand exactly which crimes require an offender to register and gives the legal definition of these crimes.

· A copy of the WSIPP chart on the number of states that have sex offender registration and "Criminal History of Adults Convicted of Felony Sex Crimes in FY 1995. Desired result: most citizens believe sex offenders are repeat offenders or have an extensive criminal history. The handout reinforces the fact that you cannot identify a sex offender by looks, race, gender, occupation, or religion. A sex offender can be anyone, so precautions need to be taken at all times.

· A copy of the WSIPP charts "Adult Sex Offender Sentencing Options: Who Pays" and "91% of Imprisoned Sex Offenders Do Not Receive Sex Offender Treatment". Desired result: most people feel that when sex offenders go to prison, they are automatically sent to treatment. People are surprised to find that most sex offenders do not receive treatment. The additional cost of treatment helps people understand why treatment is not offered to every sex offender in prison.

· Seattle Police Department list of rules for Personal Safety for Children. Desired result: gives the citizens a sense of empowerment. They have something in writing they can refer to when talking about safety to their children.

· Seattle Police Department list of Characteristics and Behavioral Indicators of a Pedophile. Desired result: educates citizens on behaviors that should raise red flags. It helps people realize ANYONE can be a pedophile and to question certain behavior whether by a stranger or family member. It explains to citizens that their children are far more likely to be victimized by a family member or someone they know than by a stranger.

· Child Protection Brochures and Parental Guidelines in Case Your Child Might Someday be the Victim of Sexual Abuse or Exploitation. Desired result: helping the citizen realize that knowledge is power and offer opportunities for further education.

The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office also distributes several handouts at their community meetings:

· A copy of the notification of sex offender registration requirement form that is distributed to, and signed by, every sex offender.

· A description of the sex offender registration process; an outline of the steps law enforcement takes to determine risk; assignment of the offender to a notification level; a list of those receiving notification; and, a description of the types of people who can be sex offenders.

· Answers to common questions: what do I do to protect my kids; what do I do to educate my children; what do I tell my kids about strangers; what can I do about an offender living in my neighborhood; and, is it fair to make a notification on offenders who have paid their debt to society?

· A list of family rules about personal safety to be used inside and outside the home, on family, friends, and strangers.