A case of NIMBY

Of course I don't want a sex offender in my neighborhood. But if they are there, it's because they did their time. I want to protect my kids from those who've been caught and punished and those who I don't know have evil intentions. Right now my kids are little so they are always in my sight, so it's probably easier to keep them safe than when they are older and will be allowed out in the neighborhood more.

When I went on Megan's law website (sexual offenders in California) I found two people I knew. It didn't change my interactions with them (which were casual) because I didn't fear for my children from them, they were never allowed alone with them even before I knew. Of course, the interactions were casual anyways, they weren't over to our house.

I like the precautions that there are now. Websites and not letting them live near schools or interact with children, etc. I don't think herding them away from society once they've done their time is a good idea. But, if there was a bill to increase jail time for pedophiles, I'd probably vote in favor of it.

On an other note, I'm grateful that I didn't never to have a concerted concern about my own safety in regards to those men we knew, either. The 'rule' of our marriage that we don't hang out with friends of the opposite sex alone serves in a few different ways.

Also, would like to say, that our computer guy who was registered as a sex offender (with acts with children under 14 years old) moved to Costa Rica. He's listed as 'in violation' on Megan's law website right now. So, his neighbors probably won't know who he is or what he has done. Hopefully they are just as careful as if they did know.

[Loudmouth_Mormon]

Something to keep in mind: You've got good odds of having a child sex offender living in your neighborhood, whether he's registered or not. They come from all income levels, family backgrounds, races, education levels, and religious affiliations. About the only skewed demographic, is that 90% are male and 10% female.

Over the years, I've watched news stories go past about predators in our church. The missionary arrested for molesting children in nursery. The 87 yr old Seventy showing gay porn to teen boys. The Bishop who felt up the Beehive in the library. The Stake President of Butte Montana stake, arrested in Idaho with a box of red lingire after setting up a date with a 14 yr old girl who turned out to be a cop.

Just last year, excommunicated former First Quorum of the Seventy member George P. Lee, was arrested on suspicion of failing to register as a sex offender. It had been three years since keepers of the state's sex offender registry knew Lee's whereabouts.

No, not everyone is a child molester. In fact, hardly anyone is one. But "hardly anyone" is the same thing as "they are in our midst". And yes, anyone could be.

LM

[dazed-and-confused]

I get the very strong impression that most people don't care about a "normal" felon, just sex offenders/predators. I was aware that this would happen. I think it's good to talk about such things so as to keep current on both societal obligations, as well as, religious ones.

[prisonchaplain]

Originally Posted by dazed-and-confused

I was talking with a few people recently in another thread and the subject of released felons from prison came up. Most of the opinions expressed were, Not In My Back Yard, meaning that they were not welcome near those that stated that opinion. So I want to ask everyone, just what should be done with released felons? Should they be totally segregated somehow? Is that even legal or possible? Should they be kept close in order to observe them and be sure they are not re-offending? Clearly, we can't execute them, but nobody seems to want felons anywhere near them.So, what should be done?

The irony is that some of my best, most effective religious volunteers who come IN to the jail are ex-felons.

[dazed-and-confused]

Thanks, PC. Fact is, I know some myself. They are pretty common in kitchens, and more so coming to the shelter I work at. The ones that are reformed are great people who have gotten their lives together, in some ways, better than "normal" people. Ones that haven't are , well, sorry people, if I mat be so blunt. I sometimes go between being angry with them and feeling sorry for them.

[prisonchaplain]

I heard of a cluster of apartments in the University district (UW) that the landlord chose to rent out to released sex-offenders. The tenents were all in accountability programs, held jobs, gained understanding and strength from each other. The landlord found them reliable and far easier on her property than university students. A well-connected university person caught wind of this and called in a couple chits with the governor, and wouldn't you know, the tenants had to leave. Nothing kills success like politics.

[prisonchaplain]

Loudmouth, I could be wrong, but at least your church does not have an "Anti" ministry, soley dedicated to exposing an alleged culture that coddles and protects predators. There is another group that does. Supposedly, this group takes literally the Old Testament requirement for two witnesses to a crime, and sense molestation almost never has that, victims are ordered to be silent or face religious discipline. I don't want to name the group, because I don't know enough first or second-hand to be willing to publically lend credence to the charges. But, this group is organized, shows up at the religion's conventions, and has a presence on youtube.

Sex Offender databases do not achieve their objective and perhaps contribute to possible future offenses...

99.9% of sex offenses against children are perpetrated by family members or close family friends, not strangers. Sex Offenders, in general, are not drooling perverts waiting for any opportunity to snatch your kid.

In many instances sex offenses have a lot to do with wrong thinking and social awkwardness. Making it impossible for sex offenders to find gainful employment or a place to live only serves to feed the feelings that fueled their offense in the first place.

There was an old mansion a little bit outside of town that had been converted to studio apartments. They rented to mostly sex offenders. Well, once a neighbor found out about it from Megan's law they made a huge deal about it. So they held a neighborhood rally and got local officials involved in it and within a few months, no more renters with a history there. I like the idea of them being able to find a stable place to live where there are no kids in the complex. Now, I would not be surprised if some of them are transients and have no listed address, or in neighborhoods with kids instead of this place off by its self.