From Evans to Greeley, Fort Collins and Loveland, the phony warnings were left tucked into front doors Tuesday, warning residents of sexual offenders moving into the neighborhood.
The problem, many discovered, was that the Web site listed on the note has a fee -- $7.95 to sign up, then $4.95 per month. But residents can get better information for free.
Police throughout northern Colorado said they've been flooded with complaints from people worried if the notes were true. Greeley police Sgt. Joe Tymkowych said the city is investigating if distributing the notes may be a violation of the city's solicitation laws. In Greeley, distributing advertising flyers or selling door-to-door requires a city permit.
Meanwhile, area law agencies are warning residents about the notes.
"This information is available free of charge on the Greeley Police Department Web site," Tymkowych said, "and on the Weld County Sheriff's Office Web site, and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation Web site."
In Greeley, residents can go to www.greeleypd.com and click on the "Greeley Sex Offenders" link.
There will be a map with small balloons marking the home of registered sex offenders. Click on the balloons and the name of the offender will show; click on the name and the offender's photo and offense will appear.
The man who sent out the flyers lives in Colorado Springs, and would only give his first name, "Gordon," according to news reports. He said he started the business to provide a service, saying "people should be scared" about sexual offenders moving into their neighborhoods.
However, he also said that the attention he's received from the media and police have helped him decide to stop passing out the flyers.
Possibly a coincidence, the flyers were distributed in Greeley the day after police announced they were having a meeting about a violent sexual predator moving into the city. That meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. tonight at the Union Colony Civic Center, Hensel Phelps Theater.
The name and address of the offender will be announced at the meeting. ..more.. by Mike Peters
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