INDIANAPOLIS — The Marion County Sheriff's Office continued Operation Watchful Eye on Wednesday with a sex offender sweep in Pike Township on the northwest side of Indianapolis.
The sweep resulted in 17 compliancy checks, three warrant service attempts, two warrant arrests for failure to register and a new investigation was opened for failure to register, according to the sheriff's office.
Last week, the sheriff's office started Operation Watchful Eye to check on the more than 1,800 sexual and or violent offenders in the county. The office focused its efforts last week near Brookside Park.
When WRTV spoke with the Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal last week, he said they were going to continue the operation this week.
There are currently 1,825 sexual or violent offenders living in Marion County, 52% of which were convicted and sentenced from another state or another county, according to the sheriff's office. That figure is up from 42% a year ago.
Forestal said he believes part of the reason is because of the number of residents in Marion County.
"It's easier to hide here. If you live in Tipton they're going to know you. If you come and mix among 900,000 to one million people you may not," Forestal said.
He also says he believes there are too many programs conveniently located by the State government within Marion County saying they can use the bus lines.
Marion County residents can search for registered sex offenders living in their neighborhoods on the sheriff's office's website.
WRTV Senior Digital Content Producer Andrew Smith assisted with this report.
-
Ball State students react to ending DEI programs
On Friday, Ball State students protested the decision to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, saying it would hurt diversity on campus and give in to racism
Storms, heavy rain move through Central Indiana on Saturday
On Saturday morning, Central Indiana was hit by several rounds of rain and storms that caused some minor damage and even led to the cancellation of the Carmel Marathon.
'Deeply Ingrained' Program inspires youth through woodworking and life skills
What started as a simple project for a father and his children has blossomed into "Deeply Ingrained," a program offering valuable woodworking skills and life lessons to hundreds of children.
Tips to prevent basement flooding before as more rain approaches
The next round of heavy rain is in the forecast for the weekend. It comes about two weeks after storms dumped inches of rain in Central Indiana.
