I will admit that I am overly paranoid. I am weary of strange men/ friends around me becuase I feel that, if they choose to, they can overpower me and do anything that they choose. Now, I do not know why I feel this way, but maybe it's because I watch too much Law and Order: SVU : ) Anyways, I will admit I'm a little extreme. I do not even like to go to parties with my friends who I have known since freshman year. When people drink they become totally different people and I do not feel that I should put myself in that situation because if something were to happen, I would mostly likely have no chance to protect myself from a 200 pound kid, who isn't even thinking rationally. Next thing, I'll wind up dead in a ditch. Now do you see why I think I have a problem? hah
I do not feel that people should be as paranoid and protective as I am, but I do think that there are precautions that people should take. I feel that I should be aware of who lives around me and I reguarly check my state's sex offender registry website. It is called Megan's Law and I think that it is important for people to log in and see who their surrounding neighbors are. I have a sixteen year old sister who said: "Gi, those people don't live here. I don't know those people." It turned out that I did recognize someone that my family comes into contact often.
Recently, a letter was sent home with my thirteen year old sister saying that a sex offender has moved in the area. The school did not list the name of the man, nor a picture. All we know is he has moved in the area. I feel that we should have a right to know who the man is and see his picture, so we can try to protect our kids as much as possible. It doesn't make sense because I can log onto PA Megan's Law Website and search among hundereds of men and women and try to single him out, when my time could have been spared by just including his/her picture. My family called me frantically, asking to try and find out who it is and where he/she may live. It was "thoughtful" that the letter was sent home, but all it seemed to do was worry parents and provide no solution to their new found problem.
I do not feel that is violating their privacy because there picture is going to be posted anyways, so please make it easier for people to protect their children from dangerous men and women. I hope that this article helps make people aware and ask for our state/police/governement to make us more aware of who lives around us.
*PA Megan's Law Website is simple to use. Click the link that I have provided, read the warning and click "I accept." The next page will than load and on the left hand site of the page you can search for sex offenders by county, city, zip code, name, and alias. The offenders address will be listed ONLY if the offender is considered "a sexually violent predator." And your long search will begin.
The National Sex Offender Public Registry also has a website, incase you do not live in Pa. Hope this is helpful!
Posted by GinaBurgese at April 26, 2006 12:36 AM | TrackBackGina, thanks for taking the time to bring the issue to our attention. Many of these people who have already been tried and punished will never commit another crime, but statistically speaking, some will. It's difficult to balance the rights of the reformed citizens with the potential threat to the rest of society.
Posted by: Dennis G. Jerz at April 26, 2006 9:17 AM