News Details

Aurora Police Launch New Sex Offender Website

The Aurora Police Department has launched a new citizen-friendly, easy to use sex offender public notification website that enables citizens to search for potentially dangerous sex offenders and predators who may be in close proximity to their homes, places of work, schools, churches, and daycare centers.

The site, Offender Watch, is being funded through a grant from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. It can be accessed through the City’s website at aurora-il.org, going to the Police Department tab on the left side of the homepage, choosing “links” from the drop-down menu, and choosing the link for registered sex offenders.

As part of the new service, citizens may enter as many addresses that are relevant to them as they wish, and see a map and listing of all offenders within a radius of between .25 and 2 miles of the addresses. They can also register to be notified via email if an offender should register at an address within their specified radius. The service is free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The information is updated in real time by the Aurora Police Department as offender information changes or is reported.

Offender Watch is used by over 5000 law enforcement agencies nationwide and by over half of the agencies in Illinois.

“This program lessens the anxiety of Aurora citizens by proactively alerting them should a sex offender move within proximity to them”, said Aurora Chief of Police Greg Thomas.

Location: Aurora, Illinois