Tougher sex offender law is a success

Senator Steve Sodders, a Deputy Sheriff, meets with one of his colleagues at the Capitol.

Iowa’s law enforcement community is praising the state’s new, sex offender law, which makes it easier to keep track of offenders.

The new law, which went into effect in 2009, requires sex offenders to report to the county sheriff in person more frequently and to provide more detailed information on their whereabouts. In addition, sex offenders whose crimes are against children are prohibited from working at or loitering near schools, daycare centers or other places intended primarily for kids.

The law is living up to its promise of being safer, stronger and smarter for Iowans, according to three law enforcement professionals—Jasper County Sheriff Mike Balmer, Warren County Deputy Brian Vos and Lieutenant Joe Simon of Polk County—as well as representatives of the County Attorneys Association and the Iowa Department of Public Safety. They said sex offenders are now registering on time, more often and voluntarily; sheriffs departments are getting fewer bad addresses from offenders; and offenders are paying their registration fees.