While the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry gives the public an ability to keep an eye out for sex offenders, local police keep an even closer eye.

There are 50 registered sex offenders living in and around Fenton, including 19 in the city, according to the registry. Police know just about everything about them and if they don't, that could mean big trouble for a registed sex offender.

Fenton Police detective Scott Townsend said the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry is very accurate. He knows because this week he knocked on doors and checked every listed sex offender in the city of Fenton. He found that one listed address turned out to be a vacant home and police will be pursuing a warrant for the man's arrest.

If registered sex offenders don't keep police updated on their activities, it can mean big penalties. Townsend said failure to verify a change of address is a two-year felony.

"If they don't come in within three business days to notify us of any changes, driving a different car, have a different phone number, email address, screen name or place of employment, it's a felony," Townsend said. "We know where they park, if they drive a boat or a wave runner."

Townsend said individuals must physically come into the police department to verify their address or notify police of any changes. Townsend periodically visits the listed addresses throughout the year to verify them as well.

"For the most part all of them keep us informed," Townsend said. "They don't always like it, but they do it."

Michigan State Police have also been working on a sex offender sweep during the last two weeks.

Individuals committing several crimes are required to be listed as sex offenders under the Sex Offenders Registration Act, Act 295 of 1994, and are listed on the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry (PSOR) website.

There are three tiers of crimes an individual can be listed under. Sex offenders in Fenton fall under all three tiers. Their offenses can be found on the map.

• Tier 1 offenders must register for 15 years and verify annually.
• Tier 2 offenders must register for 25 years and verify bi-annually. 
• Tier 3 offenders must register for life and verify quarterly.

The Michigan State Police also have a system to send out an email alert when a registered sex offender moves near you.

How the Map Works

The map is interactive, meaning you can zoom in, zoom out, or move it around to see all the plotted points.

Floating your cursor over one of the markers will give you the address of the sex offender. Clicking on the marker will give you the name of the offender and more information about the specific charge.

There are two addresses that could not be posted on the map.

8311 Whitehorn Ln Fenton MI 48430 - James Allen Smith

• Criminal Sexual Conduct-3rd Degree (Person 13-15)
• Criminal Sexual Conduct-3rd Degree(Force Or Coercion)

8419 Quill Fenton MI 48430 - Steven Charles Collins

• Sexual Misconduct With A Minor As A Class A, B, Or C Felony

*Addresses, names and crimes listed on the map are provided by the Michigan State Police through the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry.