10/02/2025
Quick steps to find offenders near your child
1. Search the federal site (one-stop, nationwide).
Use the Dru Sjodin National S*x Offender Public Website (NSOPW) to search all public state, territorial, and tribal registries in one place — you can search by name, city, ZIP code, or address. 
2. Check your state’s registry (local details & maps).
Every state runs its own registry (examples: Florida’s “neighborhood search,” California’s Megan’s Law page, Tennessee map). State sites often let you search by address and radius and may include photos, offense details, and mapping. Use your state’s official registry for the most local info. 
3. Use reputable third-party tools for convenience (but verify).
Sites like Family Watchdog aggregate registry data and offer alert subscriptions. They can be easier to use, but always cross-check any result against NSOPW or your state site. 
4. Set up alerts / watch notifications.
Many state registries and NSOPW (and some third-party sites) let you receive email alerts when a registrant moves into an area you specify. This is useful for ongoing monitoring. 
5. Contact local law enforcement if something looks concerning.
If you find someone listed near your home, school, or your child’s activities and you’re worried, call the non-emergency number for your local police or sheriff’s office to ask about current status and any active restrictions. (They can also tell you if the person is transient, homeless, or otherwise not at the listed address.)
How to search effectively (practical tips)
• Search by address or ZIP + radius to see who’s within walking distance or in your child’s routes. Many state tools support a quarter-mile / half-mile / 1-mile radius. 
• Search nearby schools, parks, daycares (addresses) — registries often include “work/school” or employment addresses. 
• Look up the registrant’s classification/level (states use Level 1–3 or similar) to understand risk categories — definitions vary by state, so read the state site’s legend. 
Important limits & safety/legal notes (read before you act)
• Registries only show registered offenders. They do not include all people who have committed sexual crimes (unreported or not convicted) or people who haven’t been required to register. Don’t assume absence = safety. 
• Data can lag or be incomplete. Addresses and details are reported by law enforcement and may not reflect real-time movements; always verify suspicious cases with local police. 
• Do not harass or confront listed individuals. Using registry info to threaten, stalk, or harass someone can be illegal. Registries include legal disclaimers about misuse. If you’re concerned, let police handle enforcement. 
What you can do with the info (practical safety actions)
• Plan safe routes for walking to school (avoid short cuts that pass near a listed address).
• Join or start a Neighborhood Watch and share verified registry findings with local officials (not social-media smear campaigns).
• Teach age-appropriate safety skills to your child: boundaries, “safe touch” language, how/when to tell a trusted adult, and who their safe adults are. (This is often more protective than relying on registries alone.)
• Use community resources — local police/community outreach, school safety officers, and child-safety programs.
