Federal Way Police Chief Brian Wilson got approval from the Parks and Recreation/Human Services/Public Safety committee for approximately $44,000 in grant money from King County as a means to support the city’s “check up” program on registered sex offenders who live inside the city.

Depending on the offender’s level, they get a visit from Federal Way police officers anywhere between once and three times a year. This grant money helps cover a fair amount of costs for FWPD, Wilson said during the committee’s Aug. 13 meeting.

“We have over approximately 220 registered sex offenders in the city of Federal Way, and about 10 Level 3 (the highest risk to reoffend) offenders,” Wilson said. “This is important work, and tracking the data on these particular offenders in this registration program is important. Our capability to be reimbursed for our costs to go out and visit these individuals who are within our city, is important.”

Committee member Kelly Maloney asked if the approximate $44,000 covers FWPD’s costs for this particular program, with Wilson replying that it doesn’t cover the full costs, but that “it’s a pretty good amount to be able to do it.”

“I have a detective assigned specifically to the management of registered sex offenders,” Wilson added. The grant money is in addition to that detective and allows FWPD to be able to get out and check, he said.

Committee chair Susan Honda asked Wilson if there are any other eyes on these offenders throughout the year. Wilson said that technically, no, there isn’t much contact with these offenders outside of these annual to quarterly checks. City staff present at the meeting also indicated that the state Department of Corrections has regular check-ins with the offenders, depending on whether they recently offended and other factors.

This item was forwarded to the Sept. 3 Federal Way City council meeting for the full approval of the council.