Sex Offenders May Be Aired On TV City Council To Consider Adding Names, Photos To Scroll

The names of those suspected of dealing in illegal sex and drugs may soon have company in their scroll down Spokane’s City Cable 5.

A proposal to add the names and photos of level 3 sex offenders to the lists already aired on the government station comes before the Spokane City Council tonight.

The council a year ago voted to broadcast the names of people convicted of buying or selling sex and of people arrested and convicted of buying or selling drugs. In drug cases, conviction is not required before names are broadcast.

In July, Councilman Chris Anderson suggested expanding the programming to include sex offenders. The plan since has been in the hands of the Public Safety Committee, which worked out the details.

The proposal before the council calls for broadcasting the names and photographs of level 3 sex offenders registered with the city. The offender’s address and conviction history also will be included.

The Police Department also plans to provide City Cable 5 with a video about crime prevention and personal safety.

Councilman Joel Crosby sold the original plan to the council with hopes that the threat of public humiliation would deter at least some people from peddling or buying sex and drugs.

Mayor Jack Geraghty and Anderson voted against the plan, saying they worried about harming a person whose name was broadcast but later was found not guilty.

Anderson has said his new plan offers a warning to residents as opposed to a punishment of offenders.

A briefing for residents on tonight’s council agenda begins at 3 p.m. in the lower-level conference room of City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Boulevard.

The council’s briefing begins at 3:30 p.m. and the regular meeting starts at 6 p.m.

, DataTimes