Sex offender moves into Barrington, neighbors react

Some Barrington residents are questioning the notification policy used by the police department, after they learned a Level II sex offender had moved into their neighborhood earlier this month.

The residents said they received no direct notice of the man's move to town. Instead, some of the residents read the news in last week's police report while others learned from neighbors. 

Barrington Police Department officials said they followed the law when notifying a number of local organizations about the Level II sex offender's relocation to Barrington. Police handed out a packet of information to local school officials, daycares and preschools, as well as the town hall and public library.

Barrington Police Chief John LaCross said that when a Level II sex offender registers in a new community — this man moved from Pawtucket to Barrington earlier this month — the police do not notify nearby residents.

"We don't call people," he said, adding that the police follow the state's Sex Offender Community Notification guidelines. 

A state website — www.paroleboardri.gov — lists information about the Level II and Level III sex offenders in Barrington and across the state. 

There are two Level II sex offenders registered living in Barrington and no Level III sex offenders registered living in town. Police said that there are about a half-dozen Level I sex offenders living in town; they are not included on the site.

The Level II sex offenders registered living in Barrington have been determined by parole board officials to pose a moderate risk to re-offend, "and that the degree of dangerousness posed to the public is such that a public safety interest is served by providing this information on this website."

The website includes specific information about each sex offender, including their address, a physical description, and a list of the crimes the individual was convicted of. The website also states in bold type "This individual is not wanted by police."

Had the new resident been registered as a Level III sex offender, the Barrington Police Department would have conducted an "enhanced" notification system. Chief LaCross said that officers conducted the recent notification on the same day the man stopped by the station to register.

That information has done little to ease concerns of some neighbors. 

"My neighborhood is devastated," wrote one resident.

"Just so upsetting," wrote another.

According to information included in the police notification packet, 23 businesses or organizations were alerted to the Level II sex offender's move to town. 

The packet states "This offender is not wanted by the police at this time and has served the sentence imposed on him by the court. This notification is not to increase fear in the community. It is the belief of law enforcement that an informed public is a safe public."

The packet also includes a picture of the individual.

"Sex offenders have always lived in our communities, but it was not until the passage of the Sexual Offender Registration and Community Notification Act that law enforcement was formally notified of their residence… Abuse of this information to threaten, intimidate or harass registered offenders will not be tolerated and may be a crime…"