Washington DC Reviewer's Comments

The District of Columbia’s Sex Offender Registry is one of the most straightforward and easy to use sites in the country. It includes a clear statement explaining exactly which offenders are posted on the site: Class A is the most serious with victims under the age of 12 and Class B with victims aged 12 to 17. Registered sex offenders whose victims were 18 or older can be viewed at any police station. Washington D.C. does not offer the details or the interactive maps seen on higher ranked sites. 

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Information Provided:  

The offender profiles have physical descriptions that exclude race, gender and alias names. Home, work and school addresses are limited to blocks rather than a specific address. There is a brief description of the crime including date and location. Class A or B is given as is the age of the victim and whether or not the victim was a stranger—helpful information for community members. 

Search Functions:  

The Washington DC Sex Offender Registry has one search box. Search the database by City Quadrant, Last Name, First Name, Police Service Area (PSA) and District. Alternatively, you can view all offenders or limit your search by the first letter of a last name. No mapping feature is available. 

Additional Site Features:  

Links to offender classifications, legal definition of offenses and a comprehensive FAQs page are offered on the homepage. You’ll also find useful safety tips for families including Inside Rules, Outside Rules and Bad Guy Rules—one of the best guides found on any sex registry. 

Ease of Use:  

The registry is easy to navigate and self–explanatory for D.C. residents familiar with the district’s quadrants. Block locations as opposed to specific addresses may make the information less useful to residents than the complete information found on other sites. 

Contact Information:  

You may contact the Metropolitan Police by phone or email. 

Summary:  

District of Columbia families have a solid resource for community safety. This sex offender registry is easy to use, but would be more effective with additional details and an interactive map. The District of Columbia does an excellent job of reaching out to its residents with helpful resources and encouragement to visit police stations for assistance.