Nearly 98% of sex offenders were in compliance.
2014 Operation Vigilance Media Release
Halloween Safety Tips – Helpful Halloween Safety Tips
(Woodland, CA) – October 29, 2014 – Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig announced that during the past two days, Yolo County law enforcement conducted surprise compliance checks on over 225 sexual offenders. “Operation Vigilance” is an annual program that started six years ago with the goal to protect Yolo County citizens by ensuring that sex offenders who live in the County are complying with all laws and probation directives. The Yolo County District Attorney’s Office coordinated “Operation Vigilance” in collaboration with all other Yolo County law enforcement agencies. This year’s operation was conducted just before Halloween to maximize its public safety value at a time when children are especially out in their neighborhoods.
Over 100 law enforcement personnel from 12 local, state, and federal agencies participated in this joint operation. Most of the targeted offenders were previously convicted of rape, child molestation or possession of child pornography. Overall 98% of the sex offenders investigated were in compliance. A total of six were arrested for various violations, including possessing pornographic material and possessing drugs or alcohol.
One unique aspect of “Operation Vigilance” is that while officers are making home visits with registered sex offenders, forensic examiners search the offender’s computers, smart phones and other digital storage devices for potential violations. Computer forensic investigators from the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office, the Sacramento Valley High Tech Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Department of Homeland Security worked together to conduct these specialized searches. A total of 66 devices were searched and two items were seized during this two-day operation.
District Attorney Jeff Reisig praised the efforts of all Yolo County law enforcement agencies who monitor sex offenders. “The fact that well over 9 out of 10 of these sex offenders were in compliance shows that collectively we have been successfully supervising sex offenders in the County,” said Reisig. “Operation Vigilance serves as an additional deterrent to those known sex offenders who may be prone to re-offend.”
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