Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies and investigators will increase the number of times they check in on registered sex offenders.

The county has 123 registered sex offenders that deputies regularly visit to check the surrounding area to determine if they are living within the guidelines of how they are registered, and to make sure they live where they claim.

“Keeping track of registered sex offenders is an added duty to our agency and with this new initiative we hope to go above the requirements in place to make sure our citizens are protected in our schools, daycares, workplaces and homes," Lincoln County Sheriff David Carpenter said.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Lt. Tim Johnson is in charge of  keeping tabs on the sex offenders. He said it will take some creativity to figure out how and when to do the checks.  The register sex offender checks will be made at unannounced times throughout the year.

“We are trying to be proactive and protect the citizens of Lincoln County.  We want to make sure sex offenders are not living closer than the law allows to schools, day care centers, parks or playgrounds," Johnson said.

Residents can visit the state's sex offender registry to see what sex offenders are registered in their neighborhood.  Deputies said if a known registered sex offender is seen near a school, playground, day care center or ball field used for children,  call 911 and report it.

For more information, contact Lt. Tim Johnson at 704-736-8856.