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1. What is a sexually violent predator?

A sexually violent predator (SVP) is a sex offender who 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.

2. Why do you make sexually violent predator (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 our website, social media outlets, and direct mailings to addresses in the area. We may use one or all of these resources to make notifications, depending on the situation.

3. What can I do to protect myself and my family?

There are a number of ways to protect yourself from sexually violent predators (SVP) and from sex offenders in general, including:

• Sign up for alerts about sex offenders moving near your home, work, and child’s school. You may enroll up to five physical addresses and be notified if a registered sex offender moves into a designated area around the addresses you input.
• 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.

4. How do you manage sexually violent predators (SVP)?

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 on a quarterly basis at the police department, regardless if they are still under supervised probation or parole. If an SVP is homeless, they are required to check in monthly. We also complete periodic address checks throughout the year.

5. 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 harass, 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. If that happens, we cannot provide you with that important information that allows you to make decisions regarding you and your family.

6. Are there restrictions regarding where an sexually violent predator (SVP) can live?

The Grand Junction Police Department has no legal authority to direct where a sex offender may live. Unless court restrictions exist, they are constitutionally free to live wherever they choose. If you observe any sex offender engaging in any criminal, high risk, or inappropriate behavior, please contact the Grand Junction Police Department by calling 911 or 970-242-6707.

For more information about sexually violent predators and the laws regarding the management of these offenders watch this video. Parental Advisory: Due to the topics being discussed, this video is not intended for children under the age of 15.