CL Police to Conduct Sex Offender Address Checks Today, Tomorrow

The Crystal Lake Police Department’s Targeted Response Unit will be on the street Wednesday and Thursday conducting address checks on all registered sex offenders and "violent crimes against children" offenders living within the city. 

Crystal Lake Police conduct these "knock and talks" periodically throughout the year to confirm that offenders are actually residing at their registered addresses, according to Deputy Police Chief Derek Hyrkas. 

Under current state law, registered child sex offenders are prohibited from distributing candy or other items to anyone during Halloween.

Crystal Lake currently has 24 offenders required to register under Illinois State Law, 19 of which are listed on the public adult Sex Offender/Violent Offender Against Youth registry, Hyrkas said in a news release. 

Juvenile offenders are not listed.

"The Crystal Lake Police Department recognizes the importance of Illinois’ sex offender registration laws, and is making every effort to ensure compliance with all aspects of the legislation," Hyrkas said in the release.

The city's Targeted Response Unit, under Chief James Black, maintains the local Offender Watch database to manage registered sex offenders in the community.

OffenderWatch enables Illinois law enforcement agencies to collaborate and share information with law enforcement partners statewide. This collaboration provides law enforcement agencies information concerning sex offender movements, history and activities anywhere in the county, state or country, Hyrkas said. 

"With Halloween approaching, this is a great resource for parents to identify houses they may wish for their children to avoid while trick or treating," Hyrkas said. 

Citizens may access the Crystal Lake Police Department OffenderWatch Community Web Page 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the Crystal Lake Police Department’s web site at http://www.communitynotification.com/il/crystallakepd, or access the Illinois State Police web site online at www.isp.state.il.us/sor.

The Crystal Lake Police in the future plan to randomly check sex offenders who reside in the city to ensure they are in compliance with all requirements under state law.

The Crystal Lake Police Department’s Targeted Response Unit supervisor, Sergeant Ron Joseph, can be reached at 815-356-3768 regarding registered sex offenders and non-compliance information.