Kings County Sex Offenders

Kings County sex offenders are tracked through the New York State Sex Offender Registry maintained by DCJS, with local enforcement handled by the NYPD. Brooklyn is the most populous borough in New York City and home to roughly 1,200 Level 2 and Level 3 registered sex offenders. The NYPD Special Victims Division monitors sex offenders across Brooklyn and can be reached at their 24-hour hotline, 646-610-7272. This page covers how to search for sex offenders in Kings County, what local resources exist for residents and victims, and how the SORA system works in Brooklyn.

NYPD and Sex Offender Monitoring in Kings County

The NYPD Special Victims Division is the primary law enforcement unit handling sex offender matters in Kings County. Unlike most New York counties where the sheriff's office takes the lead, Brooklyn falls under NYPD jurisdiction. The Special Victims Division investigates sex crimes, assists with SORA hearings, and monitors registered sex offenders across all Brooklyn precincts. Their 24-hour hotline is 646-610-7272.

Level 3 sex offenders in Brooklyn must personally verify their address every 90 days at their local NYPD precinct. This is not optional. An offender who fails to show up faces felony charges. Level 1 and Level 2 offenders have less frequent reporting schedules, but they still must keep their registration current with DCJS. If an offender moves to a new address in Brooklyn or leaves Kings County, the change must be reported within 10 days.

The NYPD also handles complaints about sex offenders who may be violating their registration rules. If you think a registered sex offender in Brooklyn is not living at their listed address, or if you see them near a school when their conditions bar it, you can call the Special Victims Division. Officers will investigate and coordinate with DCJS as needed.

Brooklyn District Attorney and SORA Hearings

The Brooklyn District Attorney's Office handles Sex Offender Registration Act hearings for Kings County. When a sex offender is convicted or released from custody in Kings County, the DA's office reviews the case and makes a risk level recommendation to the court. The judge then holds a SORA hearing where both sides can present evidence about what risk level the offender should receive.

SORA hearings in Kings County follow the same process used statewide. The Board of Examiners of Sex Offenders prepares a case summary and risk assessment. The DA and the offender's attorney each get to argue for or against certain risk factors. Points are scored for things like use of violence, age of the victim, relationship to the victim, number of offenses, and whether drugs or alcohol played a role. The total score maps to a risk level. But the judge can depart from the score if the facts warrant it.

With roughly 1,200 Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders in Brooklyn, the Kings County courts handle a significant volume of SORA matters. This includes initial risk level hearings for new convictions, modification petitions from offenders seeking a lower level, and hearings for offenders who move into Kings County from other jurisdictions. The Brooklyn DA's Sex Crimes Bureau manages these cases.

How to Search for Sex Offenders in Kings County

The fastest way to find sex offenders in Kings County is the NYS Sex Offender Registry online search. Select Kings County from the county drop-down and the system returns all Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders with addresses in Brooklyn. You can also search by name, ZIP code, or view all offenders in a given area. The search is free and available around the clock.

For Level 1 sex offenders, you must call the toll-free line at 1-800-262-3257. Staff are available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. You need the person's name and one of these: an exact address, date of birth, driver's license number, or Social Security number. This is the only way to check on low-risk sex offenders, since state law keeps them out of the online directory.

You can also contact your local NYPD precinct in Brooklyn. Officers can share information about sex offenders in your neighborhood. For Level 2 and Level 3 offenders, this includes photos, exact addresses, conviction details, and any conditions of supervision. The precinct can also let you view the sex offender subdirectory on site.

Brooklyn Family Justice Center

The Brooklyn Family Justice Center serves victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence in Kings County. It is at 350 Jay Street, 15th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201. The phone number is 718-250-5113. Services are free and confidential. The Center provides case management, counseling, and legal help. It works closely with the NYPD and the Brooklyn DA's Office to support victims through the court process.

While the Family Justice Center does not run the sex offender registry itself, it is an important resource for people affected by sex crimes in Kings County. Staff can help victims understand the SORA process, connect them with advocacy groups, and guide them through safety planning. If you need help and are not sure where to start, the Center is a good first call.

Sex Offender Risk Levels in Kings County

Sex offenders in Kings County are classified into three risk levels after a court hearing. Level 1 is low risk. These offenders register for 20 years. Their address info is limited to ZIP code. They do not appear in the online directory. Level 2 is moderate risk. Their full address is public. They register for life. Level 3 is high risk. Full address is public. They must verify their address every 90 days in person at their local NYPD precinct. They also register for life.

On top of the risk level, a judge can designate a sex offender as a sexual predator, sexually violent offender, or predicate sex offender. Any of these labels means lifetime registration, even for Level 1 offenders. Kings County courts make these designations during the SORA hearing based on the facts of each case and the standards in Correction Law Article 6-C.

Sex Offender Alerts for Kings County Residents

Brooklyn residents can sign up for free alerts through NY-ALERT. You get a notice by email, text, fax, or phone whenever a Level 2 or Level 3 sex offender moves into or out of a location you pick. You can register up to three addresses. Most people choose their home, their workplace, and a child's school. Sign up through the NYS Sex Offender Registry website. The system has been active since March 2010.

The NYPD also has its own notification duties for Level 3 sex offenders. When a high-risk offender moves into a Brooklyn neighborhood, local law enforcement must notify vulnerable organizations. This includes schools, day care centers, libraries, community centers, nursing homes, places of worship, and neighborhood watch groups. These organizations receive the offender's name, photo, address, and conviction info so they can take steps to protect those they serve.

Legal Rules for Sex Offenders in Kings County

SORA does not impose blanket residency restrictions on sex offenders in Kings County. There are no statewide buffer zones around schools or parks for registered offenders in general. The New York Court of Appeals has ruled that local governments cannot create their own sex offender residency rules. However, the Sexual Assault Reform Act bars certain offenders from being within 1,000 feet of school grounds when the victim was under 18 or the offender is Level 3.

All registered sex offenders in Brooklyn must report their internet accounts, email addresses, and screen names to DCJS under the Electronic Security and Targeting of Online Predators Act. Changes must be reported within 10 days. This requirement took effect in 2008. DCJS can share this data with social networking sites that have members under 18. Failure to report internet info is a felony, same as failure to register an address.

Sex offenders on parole or probation in Kings County may face additional restrictions set by their supervising officer. These can include curfews, limits on internet access, bans on contact with minors, and requirements to attend treatment programs. Level 3 sex offenders under supervision face mandatory internet restrictions regardless of the details of their offense.

Cities in Kings County

Kings County is coterminous with the borough of Brooklyn, which is part of New York City. For city-level resources and information about sex offenders in Brooklyn, see the New York City page.

Nearby Counties

Kings County sits at the western end of Long Island and borders three other New York City counties.