SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The U.S. Marshals Service and Sioux Falls Police are joining forces to conduct compliance checks of sex offenders' locations.
Lieutenant Sean Kooistra says the once-a-month operation will make 60 checks eventually covering the over 700 sex offenders living in Minnehaha County.
Kooistra says the effort is not being undertaken because there's a big issue with sex offenders not registering. He says most sex offenders follow the rules and register truthfully twice a year, on their birthdays and six months later.
The Marshals service is allowed to assist local, state and tribal law enforcement agencies in checking on sex offender through the Adam Walsh Safety Act.
Since 2011 the U.S. Marshals Service has assisted in 14 operations in South Dakota resulting in almost 1,300 compliance checks, 49 new investigations and 27 arrests.
Kooistra says the checks will also determine if offenders are living too close to schools, swimming pools or playgrounds.