VWSO to assist with sex offender alerts

VW independent/submitted information

Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach has announced that, during this year’s County Fair, the sheriff’s office will again assist residents with registering to receive an automatic email alert when a registered sex offender moves into an area near their home.

Sheriff Riggenbach said that fairgoers can stop at the sheriff’s office booth in the middle of the Commercial Building either Saturday, September 3, or Monday, September 5, and a deputy will assist them in registering for the automatic email alert. Hours on both days will be from noon to 6 p.m.

The registration process should take no more than 2 or 3 minutes, while information about signing up for automatic registered sex offender email alerts will be available all week during the fair at the booth.

“We encourage citizens to stop by the booth at any time to pick up information that will help them be more informed about registered sex offenders in Van Wert County,” Sheriff Riggenbach noted.

The sheriff said his office also provides the Offender Watch Program: a tool county residents can use to get information about offenders in their area. In addition to the automatic email alert feature, the Offender Watch Program also provides residents with real-time maps of registered offenders in their area and tips for parents to discuss with their children, as well as safety advice for children.

The Offender Watch Program can be accessed by the public by visiting the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office website www.vanwertcountysheriff.com and clicking on the “sex offender” link at the top of the page.  Then click on the “click here to” link to access the Offender Watch Program.

In addition to this service, 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 can do so at the sheriff’s office booth on Friday, September 2, from noon to 8 p.m., and Monday, September 5, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.