Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Samantha Hayes ReportingLocal detectives recently spent the night knocking on dozens of doors; it was not a drug bust, not a burglary. The Salt Lake County Sheriff's department is keeping track of sex offenders, making sure they are following new laws.
This was the second sting for the sex crimes task force, the first was in June. Detectives say it is helping them keep track of where sex offenders are living and whether they are in line with the law. A registry on the Internet will tell you where a sex offender lives. Detectives are making sure that's who they'll find behind the door.
Det. Eric Brown, Salt Lake County Sheriff's Department: "In the family crimes unit we assigned detectives to each precinct to monitor sex offenders in each precinct."
On August 15th detectives knocked on 63 doors. 12 registered sex offenders were in violation of the rules.
Det. Brown: "It is a concern, especially with vehicles they are driving and stuff. We can keep on top in case there is a problem."
The Salt Lake County sheriff's department is one of several law enforcement agencies checking on sex offenders regularly. Eyewitness News, in a recent investigation, went with them on the first sting.
Detectives are enforcing new, harsher penalties that went into effect in July. They expect to continue making unexpected visits.
Det. Brown: "With all the new info. We gather every quarter, it does help us."
Depending on their crime, some offenders may face felony charges for failing to register at appropriate times. Changes in address and vehicles must be made known to officials within five days. That was the common problem detectives found on their latest sting.
Det. Brown: "We are out there making contact with sex offenders to make sure they've received letter, they are up to date and know what they have to do."
The information gathered by detectives is turned over to the Attorney General's office, where it's decided if more charges need to be filed against certain individuals for not registering.
