The Benton Police Department gets a lot of questions about the laws and policy for sex offenders, so they posted them via social media in an effort to clear it up.
Levels explained:
Level 1 Sex Offenders are classified as Low Risk.
- Those in this category typically have no prior history of sexual offense.
- The community can be protected with notification inside the home and to local law enforcement.
- There are no restrictions on residence location for Level 1.
- These individuals are required to update their status with the police department every six months.
Level 2 Sex Offenders are classified as Moderate Risk.
- Those in this category typically have a history of sexual offense where notification inside the home is insufficient.
- Community notification requires notice to the offender’s know victim preference and to those likely to come into contact with the offender.
- There are no restrictions on residence location for Level 2.
- These individuals are required to update their status with the police department every six months.
Level 3 Sex Offenders are classified as High Risk.
- Those in this category have a history of repeat sexual offense and/or strong antisocial, violent, or predatory personality characteristics.
- These are individuals whose offenses and criminal history require notification throughout the community.
- Level 3 must not reside within 2,000 feet of a school, licensed day care, public park, church, non-profit, or youth center.
- These individuals are required to update their status with the police department every six months.
Level 4 Sex Offenders are classified as Sexually Dangerous.
- Those in this category have been adjudicated guilty of a sex offense or acquitted on the grounds of mental disease or defect of a sex offense and who suffer from a mental abnormality or personality disorder that makes them likely to engage in predatory sex offenses.
- This requires the highest level of notification.
- Level 4 must not reside within 2,000 feet of a school, licensed day care, public park, church, non-profit, or youth center.
- These individuals are required to update their status with the police department every three months.
Reporting Details:
When reporting status to the police department, the required information is as follows:
- Address, phone, spouse name, number of minors in residence, total number of individuals in residence, vehicle description, employer, probation officer, email and social media.
If there is ever a change in the following, it must be reported to the police department within ten days:
- Address, employment, vehicle and/or social media.
The BNPD conducts new notifications with the change of information, in accordance with notification of procedures listed above.