State seeking to improve offender law
Law enforcement officials are asking for a tiered system to help them.
State seeking to improve offender law

By Jennifer Mock

Published: May 16, 2007

Onerous living restrictions on sex offenders approved in recent years by the Legislature are driving dangerous child molesters underground and unduly punishing lesser offenders, law enforcement officials said Tuesday.

A tiered system for sex offenders, ranking them on their risk of re-offending, would help law enforcement focus its resources toward the most dangerous criminals, Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater said.

Prater, along with other Oklahoma City and Tulsa law enforcement officials, were at the Capitol on Tuesday talking to lawmakers about their concerns with a law restricting sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools, day cares, playgrounds or parks.

Under those guidelines, sex offenders don't have many places they can live, especially in urban communities.

Sgt. Gary Stansill with the sex crimes unit of the Tulsa Police Department said they have seen a drop in the number of offenders registering because of the residency restrictions.

"If we know where they are, we can watch them,” he said.

A tiered system is being worked on in House Bill 1760, which is currently in conference committee.

There, House and Senate members of both political parties will negotiate the bill's final language.

Rep. Gus Blackwell, author of the bill, said an unintended consequence of putting more restrictions on sex offenders is leaving more unregistered and may lead to them re-offending.

"This is not a soft-on-crime bill; it is a tough-on-crime bill because it ensures these guys get registered, which is key,” said Blackwell, R-Goodwell.

Though he is not sure what exact language will make it in the bill, Blackwell said he hopes the state can get a tiered system in place to help law officers know which offenders are the biggest threat.

The goal would then be to tie residency restrictions to the three offender levels.

Those on the lowest tier would not have to follow restrictions because their likelihood of re-offending would be small.

Those on the highest tier would continue to have the most restrictions and supervision.

Prater commended the lawmakers for discussing the issue, which he said is politically hard because it can be construed by some as lifting restrictions on sex offenders.