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. . I . - Detective Sergeant Matuszak said "Presently the law requires individuals who are convicted of a serious sex offense to register for the rest of their lives with the police agency where they live. They have to register within 10 days from the time they move - into town, and have to let us know when they move. They are advised of this requirement when they are sentenced and formaIIy advised when the law enforcement official reviews the requirement with them and has them sign a form.... The form is mailed to the Department of Justice, and they contact the local police department.... We check to make sure he is where he says he is. When he comes to the Department to register, he is photographed by a detective, we interview him, we photograph his car. Each year after that within 10 days of his birthday he has to come back in again. At that time we take new photographs.... But with rare exception we are not permitted by law to let neighbors know that he is present in their community. That is simply not allQwed." Detective Sergeant Matuszak explained the 900 number which allows specific inquiries on a specific person from a citizen, and showed and described the Serious Habitual Offender book that citizens can look at. The book "is for the worst of the worst." He said the book is a law enforcement tool to apprehend people as opposed to a way to prevent a crime. Detective Sergeant Matuszak said "we are hoping that since we know where they are, we know what they look like, we know what they do, that when an offense does occur perhaps we can catch them sooner. We may save victim number 2 or 3 or 4, but there is very little we can do under the law that is written now to prevent the first crime." - Vice Mayor Howard acknowledged the frustration of law enforcement, and her own, with a program involving an honor system. In response to Vice Mayor Howard's questions, Detective Sergeant Matuszak said the suspect was not released in the traditional manner, he was released to the INS. He said the Justice Department form is supposed to be completed identifying his intention to relocate at the time of release from jail, and after being notified by the Department of Justice it is incumbent upon the Police Department to make sure he arrived and registered. However, this suspect was released by the INS after his INS bail was reduced from $75,000 to $2,500 and he posted that bail, and he did not complete the Justice Department form. Vice Mayor Howard recommended that the City and the County write a very strong letter to the INS describing what happened and asking their complete cooperation in fighting the battle against sex offenders. She said a $2,500 bail in such a serious matter was insane. In response to Council questions, Detective Sergeant Matuszak described how difficult it was to track offenders within the year between registrations if the offender did not report his moves. He said that in the State of California there were over 55,000 registered sex offenders. - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 54 AUGUST 12, 1996 MINUTES Paqe No. 424 PAGE II