In an effort to ensure compliance and foster public safety, the Barton County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting a canvas of all registered sex offenders, drug offenders and violent crime offenders in Barton County over the next several weeks, Sheriff Brian Bellendir said.
The Sheriff’s Office maintains a public database known as “Offender Watch.” The database is open to the public and has various features including mapping that allows the public to see where registered offenders live.
Citizens may also sign up for automatic email alerts in the event an offender moves into their neighborhood. Offender Watch is available on the Barton County website under the Sheriff’s Office drop-down tab.
“Sheriff’s deputies are going to the addresses reported on the offender’s data sheet and making contact with them to ensure compliance with the terms of their required registration,” Bellendir said. “If an offender is found not to be compliant, a report will be submitted to the Barton County Attorney’s Office in an attempt to seek prosecution.”
The Sheriff’s Office will be checking on offenders for the next few weeks. If people have any questions or concerns, they may contact the Records Division at the BCSO by calling 620-793-1876.