The four-person San Jose Police Department Sex Offender Tracking Team spoke at an April 13 Willow Glen Neighborhood Association meeting. The unit was invited to speak by Willow Glen resident Susan Espinoza.

"When I got on the Internet, I found there was a sex offender across the street," Epinoza said. "I asked the police to come to ease my mind."

Espinoza is referring to the Megan's Law website that was launched in December. The site allows the public to view photos and personal information of sex offenders in their area.

While the police hail the website as a resource for residents, they admit that it may also cause undue worry.

"Don't get paranoid by what you see," San Jose Police Detective Jeremy Bowers told residents. Bowers added that some sex offender profiles may be incomplete or state that the offender is not complying with the law. However, this could be misinformation caused by a time gap between a sex offender complying with the law and the police updating the website. All registered sex offenders are required to register with the police department annually and when they move.

San Jose Police Detective Frank Swarigen said that up to one-half of all sex offenders listed as violating their parole or probation on the website are actually in compliance.

San Jose Police Sgt. Ron Helder said 80 percent of San Jose's 2,451 convicted sex offenders are considered serious offenders. All sex offenders are classified as either high risk, serious or other. Only 21 people in that group are consider high risk and none reside in Willow Glen. High risk offenders are individuals who have committed violent sexual crimes, Bowers said. When a high-risk offender moves into a neighborhood, residents within a one-mile radius and schools within a three-mile radius are notified.

However, when an offender labeled as serious moves into a neighborhood, residents and schools are not notified unless there is "cause," such as the police stopping a registered sex offender and finding candy or toys in his car. Otherwise there is only minimal information about serious offenders online.

Offenders such as those who commit statutory rape are labeled as "other" and are not found on the website. Law enforcement officials are not allowed to disclose information about these people.

As residents questioned the officers about the current sex offender registry, Bowers reminded the crowd that "the biggest concern is the ones we don't know about."

Bowers recommended parents keep communications open with their children and discuss appropriate and inappropriate touching. He also told them to be aware of red flags, such as a child not wanting to spend time with a relative, friend or teacher.

One woman wanted to know whether she could report suspicious behavior in a public park. Last summer, she said a suspicious man was loitering around a local park, watching women breast feed and eyeing children.

The officers encouraged the woman to report all suspicious activity to the police. Bowers said she should keep all police report receipts. If the officer on the scene does not find enough information to write a report, Bowers said the officer can give her an orange card with a case number. By reporting incidents every time they happen, the unit will be able to discern a criminal pattern, he said.

"Don't feel like you're bothering us," Bowers said. "It's our job and we're happy to do it."

For more information, contact the San Jose Police Department Sex Offender Tracking Team, 408.277.4290. Officers are on duty Mondays through Thursdays from noon to 10 p.m.