What is a sexually violent predator?
A sexually violent predator (SVP) is a sex offender that also meets criteria set by the State of Colorado and who has had an assessment done by the state that has determined the person is at a higher risk of re-offending.
Why do you make SVP notifications?
State law requires us to notify the community when an SVP moves into the area or changes their home or work address. We have several resources available for making these notifications, including the media, our website, direct mailings to addresses in the area, and Mesa County Cable Channel 12. We may use one or all of these resources to make notifications depending on the situation.
What can I do to protect myself and my family?
There are a number of ways to protect yourself from SVPs and from sex offenders in general, including:
*Sign up for alerts about sex offenders moving near your home, work, and child's
school
*Educate your children. Let them know if there is a house you want them to stay
away from
*Know who your children are with, and if you suspect anything inappropriate is
happening start asking questions and look into it
*Realize that most sex offenders, including SVPs, are people the victim knows
How do you manage SVPs?
The Grand Junction Police Department tracks all registered sex offenders, with even stricter rules for sexually violent predators. SVPs in Grand Junction are required to check in weekly at the police department, regardless if they are still under supervised probation or parole. We also complete periodic address checks throughout the year.
What is the purpose of the policy against harassing sex offenders?
The goal of providing information about the identity and addresses of registered sex offenders is to give you information that empowers you to make the decisions that will keep you and your family safe. However, when members of the community harrass, engage in vigilantism, threaten, or intimidate the offender it may cause that person to go "underground", which would make it difficult or sometimes impossible to track his or her location. When that happens we can not provide you with that important information that allows you to make decisions regarding you and your family.