Nobody likes the idea of having paroled sex offenders living in our neighborhoods. But when an offender has served his or her time, and we make it impossible for them to live anywhere, what kind of people are we exactly?
This CNN story of Florida parolees whom the Fla. Department of Corrections has, for lack of alternative, relocated under a bridge (along with members of the local rat population), has been deservedly burning up certain portions of the blogosphere. Jeralyn Merritt at Talk Left reminds us that Florida is the same state that banned sex offenders from hurricane shelters.
And just in case you think no such person is living in your neighborhood, you might want to check here:
This is a very general statement, but my observations have been that a significant number of sex offenders don’t change, so we cannot take the risks of letting anyone convicted of that living near our kids–or, our rats.
It is my understanding that several states register “Sex Offenders” for violating prostitution ordinances or for for statutory rape (case in Idaho where a 17 year old had sex with his 15 year old girlfriend. The girl’s mother found out and had him arrested. He’s now a Registered Sex Offender there). Something to think about when we start worrying about the kiddies.
Again, you cannot let exceptions dictate the rules. I agree that there can be different types of “sex offenders.” Add multiple categories to accomodate non-threatening types of offendrs rather than just let every pervert run wild.
Would someone explain to me how letting sex offenders live just anywhere fits with the popular liberal cry–“it’s for the children”? I can see it: “Housing rights for child molesters, now! It’s for the children.”
Fine Woody, but the laws you guys pass never do that. The “Three Strikes Law” in CA was supposed to put away “Violent Offenders” when its biggest impact has been on drugs offenses. And that law gives enormous descretion to the prosecutors as to whether or not to charge an individual with a “Strike” offense.
Everyone wants to be fair – except when running for office or putting draconian measures on the ballot. The result is the land of the free has more people locked up than anywhere else and, as our mutual friend jcummings up in Canada could tell you, we’re still a more violent place than any other industrial nation.
No one wants to paint with a broad brush, especially when it comes to consenting (egger) teenagers, prostitution etc., but as a society it is our responsibility to protect children from predators.
With the typical molester defiling 117 (seems too high) youngsters in their life time, we have a serious duty to stop them as early as possible.
http://www.ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/jjjournal/jjjournal598/safe.html
“The typical offender is male, begins molesting by age 15, engages in a variety of deviant behavior, and molests an average of 117 youngsters, most of whom do not report the offense.†– Dr. Gene Abel in a National Institute of Mental Health Study.
Pokey the typical molester is a relative. Maybe that is why it goes unreported. Who the hell is Gene Abel? I seriously doubt his figures. Maybe he got his degree along with “DR” Dobson.
[…] sex offenders living under a bridge because, under the law, there was nowhere else for them to go? (WLA posted about it here.) Well now we in So Cal have our own version, according to Saturday’s LA Times. His name is […]