OFFENDER WATCH: BCSO launches new online sex offender registry

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — With a quick search using the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office “Offender Watch” registry you can see the more than 250 sex offenders living in the county.

The registry shows 41 sex offenders are within 5 miles of Leland’s town hall, 14 within 5 miles of downtown Southport, and many more across the county.

Launched by Brunswick County Sheriff John Ingram, the new online registry allows residents to search for registered sex offenders located inside a user-defined radius, ranging from quarter-mile to five miles,  from any Brunswick County address.

“Offender Watch is a great tool in keeping residents informed of anyone moving into their communities who might be a potential threat to their families. I hope this tool will offer citizens peace of mind in knowing that information is easily accessible,” says Sheriff Ingram.

The Offender Watch data is updated in real time as offender data is received by the sheriff’s office. The online registry links the county to more than 5,000 law enforcement agencies.

“The sheriff has also made available additional web based resources designed to educate and inform the public on ways to keep their families safe,” spokeswoman Emily Flax said. “The purpose of the program is to lessen the anxiety of citizens by proactively alerting them should an offender/predator move within proximity to them, and to provide the highest level of security and safety to all Brunswick County citizens.”

You can find the Offender Watch registry for Brunswick County here.

More information will be available at the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Fall Festival at the Brunswick County Government Complex from 6-9 p.m Thursday.