Sex Offenders in Idaho (Pocatello, Priest River: low crime, felony, to live)

[Earniefan]

Can anyone tell me why the numbers are so high in many areas of Idaho for Sex Offenders. I got my information from Family Watchdog so I feel that is accurate. Does Idaho just keep better track of them or is there a reason so many choose to live there. There are a lot that have moved into the area just to clarify, they do not necessarily originate in Idaho. Thanks!

[melia_nicole]

I don't know about Idaho, but in the town I currently live in we have about 50within a few miles. I would suggests putting in names of other mid sized towns throughout the country and see in comparison if Idaho is really that bad. Good Luck

[Sage of Sagle]

Please remember that SENTENCING GUIDELINES have an enormous impact on not only the number of crimes and the way they're reported but also has a HUGE skewing of registered sex offenders.

For example, when I was a cop in Los Angeles, it was common for a pretty serious sexual assault to be pled down to a misdemeanor sexual battery (not enough to qualify for registration). In Bonner County where we are, there was a recent court case where a volunteer fire fighter from Priest River threatened to beat up a 16 year old girl if she wouldn't have sex with him.
http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/...ews/news02.txt

In Los Angeles, this either wouldn't have gone anywhere, or would have been pled down. But in Idaho, they guy gets 8 YEARS, and that's even when it was pled down to felony sexual battery. So not only will he do more time, but it appears that the area has more sexual assaults.

So one thing I'm learning in Idaho is that "we take crime seriously" which means that statistics can be skewed. I'm NOT saying that there aren't problems, but so far from hearing the buzz around town and reading the news, it seems like just about nothing goes unreported where when I was a cop, most of the stuff DIDN'T get reported to the police....and it really shows in statistical reporting....

[thompson84606]

Many states only list 2nd or third level offenders, idaho is a state that lists all offenders. http://www.klaaskids.org/pg-legmeg.htm this site has more updated and accurate numbers than family watchdog.

[LightYearsAway]

Ok, I'm feeling a lot better about moving to IF or Poc. now lol. I changed my mind about it last year because I have two small children and the number of sex offenders was shocking. Now I have another opportunity to move to these areas so just HAD to google 'Why does Idaho have so many sex offenders?' LOL. Thanks for answer the OP question. This helps me out a lot and makes me.
I've read that Idaho has a very low crime rate so these sex offenders were a bit confusing. I like that ID has a low tolerance for crime though. It's going to make me feel safer!

[banjomike]

Sage is correct. We prosecute more heavily all over Idaho than in some other states, so victims are less reluctant to report the crimes.

I honestly don't think Idaho has any higher a percentage of these crimes than other states, but, as Sage also mentioned, because we are lightly populated, the crimes do get more media attention. Our small population has a deeper effect on the other side, as offenders are more recognized once they are back out on the street. Because of this, if one is busted for a DUI or some other offense, as often as not, his past is mentioned in a news report.

Violent and sex crimes in I.F. and Pocatello are still pretty rare. Property crimes are more common by far. Both towns are very peaceful and always have been, and I've lived in I.F. for most of my 68 years.