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offender watchMODESTO-

The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department is joining other law enforcement jurisdiction in using Offender Watch, an online tool to help residents track registered sex offenders and convicted arsonists.

Residents register their addresses on the Sheriff’s Department website and they can find out what registrants are within a half mile to two mile radius of their homes.  They can set the paramenters. Residents are linked to the site by e-mail.

“Then if there are any changes either sex registrants or arson registrants then people can receive electronic notification,” Sheriff Adam Christenson said.

The sheriff said getting residents engaged also helps them provide information to the department so they can keep a better eye on what registrants are up to.

Christenson says the tool does not replace the State’s Megan Law website but augments it.  Other jurisdictions like Sacramento Police and the sheriffs of Sacramento, Yuba and Sutter counties also use Offender Watch.