GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - Law enforcement officers are scouring the state to make sure sex offenders aren't hiding from the law.

Operation Sheperd launched into action this month. Mesa County Sheriff's Office Deputies and Grand Junction Police Department Officers are crisscrossing Grand Junction to make sure registered sex offenders are living where they reported they are.

These officials randomly visit homes of offenders, some of them convicted of molesting children. It's all to keep strict tabs on these offenders, so that they don't escape the watchful eye of police.

“We do take the verification of addresses seriously, and we do continually check,” says Cpl. Bob Culver of the Grand Junction Police Department.

Mesa County law enforcement's constant, tight watch has already made every single local offender's whereabouts known to police.
"Right now in Mesa County, we don't have anyone out of compliance,” says Deputy Lisa McCammon.

Still, officials encourage residents to scan the sex offender registry online, so they're aware of offenders living nearby. Charlotte Padilla had no idea a felony sex offender lived across the street from her and her 5–year–old son.

“It makes me pretty nervous because he's always outside, and I didn't know that or I wouldn't let him out,” says Padilla.

The Grand Junction Police Department has a civilian officer who continually checks in with offenders, helping to diminish the chance of a repeat offense. Even still, the PD and the Sheriff's Office make sure their rounds are routine.

“Because we're constantly verifying addresses, it keeps people in compliance and it keeps our problems minimized,” says McCammon.

Operation Sheperd has captured 180 sex offenders who were not complying with their registry so far. Officers across Colorado have completed nearly 4,000 checks on offenders.