On the morning of Thursday, March 14th, 2024, a citywide audit of registered sexual offenders was conducted in Chula Vista.
Over 45 law enforcement officers, including every detective of the Chula Vista Police Department Criminal Investigations Division, as well as members of the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, San Diego District Attorney’s Office, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, United States Marshals San Diego Fugitive Task Force, and the other members of the United States Marshals Service came together to conduct the audit.
Justice California categorizes sex offenders into three tiers (Tiers 1-3). Tiers are assigned based on risk level, with tier 1 representing the lowest risk to the public and tiers 2 and 3 progressively representing more of a risk.
There are almost 260 people registered as sex offenders in Chula Vista. 192 of them are categorized under tiers 2 and 3. Detectives are assigned to verify their compliance with state law (Penal Code 290) on a regular basis, making sure they’re providing true and up-to-date information about their residences, phone numbers, vehicles, and employment. Because of this coordinated, multi-agency effort, officials were able to conduct home visits at all listed addresses for tiers 2 and 3 registered sex offenders at one time.
The audit took place from 7 A.M. to 12 P.M. Out of 157 residences visited, 170 compliance checks were completed and 22 are pending an additional visit. Of those completed, 137 registrants were verified as being in compliance, 1 was arrested for an unrelated felony warrant, and 8 are still being evaluated by detectives. The Department will seek arrest warrants for those determined to be out of compliance.