Task force checks on sex offenders

In the early morning hours of February 7, 16 members of the San Diego County Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement Team (SAFE) conducted an audit of the 39 registered sex offenders in the Fallbrook/Bonsall area.

Fallbrook Detective Dan Laibach led the effort.

“This was to ensure that all sex offenders in our command are in compliance with Megan’s Law,” said Sheriff’s Sgt. Theresa Adams-Hydar. “The team went out to check on every one of them to make sure they are living where they say they are and living by the conditions of their probation.”

Sheriff’s Detective and SAFE team member Chris Machitar said, “It went very well. The majority of the individuals we contacted were in compliance with their registration information.”

Adams-Hydar said that out of the 39 individuals audited, only two were found not to be living at their registered address.

“Warrants are being issued for their arrest,” said Adams-Hydar.

Machitar said the individuals who conducted the audit in Fallbrook included deputies from the Sheriff’s Department and the San Diego Police Department, parole and probation officers, representatives of the Department of Justice and investigators with the District Attorney’s office.

“We set up eight teams of two individuals each and gave them assigned contacts to make,” Machitar said. “The assigned team goes to address that the individual is registered at to verify that the address is true and correct. They also verify that we have their current place of employment, vehicle registration information, telephone numbers and any other addresses they stay at.”

Registered sex offenders are audited every six to 12 months, or more frequently if determined to be necessary by law enforcement officials.

“It’s not to harass them or disclose their locations, it’s just to make sure they are living by the conditions of their probation,” Adams-Hydar explained.

Adams-Hydar said each individual case has different conditions associated with it: “Some of the conditions might be a limit on their proximity to schools; no children in the house, no computers…”

Registered sex offenders are required to update their information annually, within five days of their birthday, or immediately if they move. The law states that some offenders must update more often; transients must update every 30 days and sexually violent predators, every 90 days.

Adams-Hydar was pleased with the outcome of the recent Fallbrook audit.

“It was very successful operation,” she said. “Two out of compliance, while not perfect, is pretty good. We are looking at getting those two in compliance or in custody.”

With a population of 48,000 in the greater Fallbrook area, Machitar said 39 registered sex offenders is a low percentile compared to some other areas of the county.

“The Fallbrook Command is on the low side compared to many other areas of the county,” Machitar said. “The rural location of the community makes it that way.”

The SAFE team was originated four and a half years ago. Its mission is to diminish sex crimes and sexually motivated crimes in the areas of San Diego County and apprehend the responsible offenders, thereby increasing public safety.

In San Diego County, there are approximately 4,022 registered sex offenders. The largest majority of those are in the 33-to-47-year-old age group. Of those in San Diego County, 99 percent are male. By race, they are: Caucasian (57.3 percent), Hispanic (21.9 percent), Black (14.3 percent), other (6.2 percent).*

To review the list of registered sex offenders in the Fallbrook (92028) and Bonsall (92003) zip codes, go to http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov.

*Source: Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement Task Force