**reprinted from the Norfolk Daily News**

It’s not yet known how a new sex offender law will affect law enforcement.

Law enforcement officials and others will learn more about the nuances of Legislative Bill 285, passed into law last legislative session, at special training this week.

We're not sure until things are broken down and you start doing the math. But there is potential we could receive more people on lifetime placement,” said Joel Denney, a parole officer who supervises those offenders on lifetime registration.

Starting in January, the prior risk levels determined through assessments will fall by the wayside and the sex offender registry will be based more on conviction, said Sgt. Glenn Elwell. He's in charge of the sex offender registry for the Nebraska State Patrol.

Whatever they are convicted of or pleaded guilty to, that’s how they will be tiered, he said.

That move may be a good one based on data from those re-offending, Elwell said.

“Just because someone was categorized through an actual risk assessment at high risk or low risk to re-offend, a lot of the re-offenses we’re tracking, it didn't matter what risk level they were at. It wasn’t treatment-based. It wasn’t based on what they did,” he said.

Capt. Steve Hecker of the Norfolk Police Division anticipates it won’t change its monitoring process.

“We’ll still do our lifetime check every 30 days, and we’ll monitor the others like we do now,” he said.

The new law may, however, have the largest impact on how the public reacts to sex offenders.

Hecker said there are already concerns from residents when a sex offender moves into their neighborhood.

“Most feel there should be greater restriction on the offenders and do not want them in their neighborhood,” he said.

With all sex offenders — not just those at high risk to re-offend — subject to community notification under the new law, he expects there will be more questions from the public regarding an offender’s status and requirements.

“Everybody will be able to know about them — where they live, work and go to school,” Elwell said.

It makes a more informed public, Denney said.

“It’s going to be hard on sex offenders who’ve never been out there before,” he said. “But from my perspective, I think it’s a good thing. There’s just more tools in the community.”

Mike Prather of the Madison County sheriff’s office agrees.

“It’s more eyes on the sex offenders for compliance purposes. You’ll have more people call up and say, ‘He’s not living where he’s supposed to,’ ” he said.

There will no doubt be an adjustment period.

People may realize they’ve been living next to a sex offender for years and didn’t know it.

“He’s not that scary, creepy guy in the corner — that’s the visual that people have,” Denney said. “In most instances, you wouldn’t be able to pick them out.”

Hopefully, residents will have a little compassion and understanding, Prather said.

“They’ve done their crime and they’ve done their time,” he said. “They’re really trying to make an effort to get their life straight and get back on track.”

Elwell said he thinks the new law will enhance public safety.

“The whole idea behind the registry is public notification and public safety. It’s meant to allow people to . . . help protect themselves on how they operate their normal lives,” he said. “From that standpoint, it’s a much greater public safety advantage.”