Sheriff’s Office provides info at fair booth

VW County Sheriff’s information

Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach has announced that during this year’s Van Wert County Fair, the Sheriff’s Office will once again be assisting citizens with registering to receive automatic emails alerting them when a registered sex offender moves near their home.

Sheriff Riggenbach said that on Saturday, September 5, and Monday, September 7, county residents attending the fair can stop at the Sheriff’s Office booth in the Commercial Building and a deputy will assist them in registering to receive the automatic email alerts. The hours on both days will be from noon to 6 p.m.

Sheriff Riggenbach said those wanting to register can expect the process to take no more than 2 or 3 minutes. Information about signing up to receive automatic sex offender email alerts will be available all week during the fair at the Sheriff’s Office booth. Sheriff Riggenbach encourages people to stop by the booth at any time to pick up this information, which will help citizens be more informed about registered sex offenders.

Sheriff Riggenbach said his office provides the Offender Watch Program, which is a tool that citizens can use to protect their children and stay informed about offenders in their area. In addition to the automatic email alert feature, the Offender Watch Program also provides citizens with real-time maps of registered offenders in their area, tips for parents to talk with their children, as well as safety advice for children.

The Offender Watch Program can be accessed by visiting the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office website at www.vanwertcountysheriff.com and clicking on the “Sex Offender” link at the top of the page. Citizens will then click on the “Click Here To” link to access the Offender Watch Program.

In addition to this service, Sheriff Riggenbach said there will be information available on other services provided by the Sheriff’s Office, including concealed carry licenses, DARE, child seat safety and photo IDs for kids.  Families who want to have a free photo ID of their child made can do so at the Sheriff’s Office booth on Thursday, September 3, and Friday, September 4, from noon to 8 p.m., and Monday, September 7, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.