Spike'sRose

I hope this is the right spot... If not, mods of course feel free to move or lock the thread about if needed.

Sex offenders are registered in a national database that is public knowledge. Citizens must also be informed if a registered sex offender has moved into their area. (I'm not sure if this varies state to state, but in WA they inform you if one has moved near you)

My neighbor has two kids and she always tells me if she gets word. This time, a few weeks ago, a registered sex offender moved into MY apartment complex! There are only 8 apartments on two stories, and altogether there are 4 children that live here.

My neighbor and I looked online to see what the guy did, and we are absolutely terrified: He's a violent rapist and child molester!! OMG! We are trying to get him booted... But so far no good. I am a victim of a violent rape, and I am scared to death. The parents can't let their kids outside in their own yards to play due to fear. My husband has to come out to the car when I get home to walk me I because I don't know what to do, really. You can't blame me for being scared and ticked off.

So all this leads to this my topic: Do you think people should have the right to disallow a sex offender to move into their neighborhood? Do you think it's a good idea to have specific housing set up for sex offenders to keep them away from potential victims?

I was thinking about this today, as I saw him this morning. I was almost late for work because I didn't want to go outside. (T_T)

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LenMiyata

Grumble Grumble Grumble

This smells like something that belongs in the Debate Forums... Moving...

Now in the past, Neighborhoods in California after the end of WWII thought they had the right to ban the return of Japanese Americans, both returning war veterans, and civilians released from the internment camps.

And even today, the the practice of real estate firms directing minority groups away from 'white' neighborhoods is a condemned but common practice. So at what point would the 'desires' of a neighborhood are valid, and at what points would they be invalid???

Also keep in mind that something as stupid as 'sexting' of images of a classmate would be enough to label a teenager as a 'Sex Offender' for life...

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Zev

Well, I think they should be able to live where ever they want to live just because of things that happened, or in some cases my have not happened in the past. They are still people none the less.

If you are that scared maybe you should get some mace or something. I mean I'm not constantly worried about someone trying to attack me, because I know how to defend myself. Maybe you should think about doing the same thing.

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beast

Fear cannot really stop a human from doing anything. Fear will not kill you it is just an emotion and for the most part is a negative emotion. Don't be affraid be prepared. Personally I feel we should also make thieves register.

Spike'sRose

I do believe people should have the right to live where they want or need to live... And I understand that sometimes a sex offender isn't a horrible violent rapist... And a lot of the time can even be wrongfully accused of a sex crime. I suppose it would be unfair to dictate where others should live, especially because they can be wrongfully accused.

The big problem with this guy is that he kidnapped and violently raped (at knife point) a 14 year old girl... I belive it was in the mid 80's. Among other offenses, such as indecent exposure and the like. He's not "sexting"... he's a bit worse than that! From what the landlord has told me, the guy served his time and was released. Which I suppose is the other injustice.

Also, regardless of the severity of the sex offender's crime, I think people, especially parents, should be allowed to say "NO WAY!" to a registered sex offender living right next door to their children. If someone was prosecuted of something disgusting and violent like that, to me, they aren't human.

And I am not paranoid or constantly afraid. I was raped and stabbed when I was 13. It took a lot of years but I'm perfectly fine being out and about. It's the fact that a confessed rapist is living in the apartment below me that has me a LITTLE scared. Besides, I have a license to carry a concealed weapon. I'm always packing.

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atomik_sprout

There isn't really much that can be done about it. A registered sex-offender lived next door to my friend's house for a good two/three years a long time ago. We all knew it and we all worried because my friend has a younger sister who had been around 14 or 15 around the time we found out he was movin' to the neighborhood. If that's where the state wants to put him, that's where they want him.

On the other hand, you (or the person dealing with said problem) can always do somethin' to make yourself feel safer. Keep a closer eye on your kids when they go to and from the house and set a curfew maybe. Do like Zev said and buy some mace or somethin'. Maybe you can tailor your schedule to suit your needs and get you home at a decent hour. Talk to the offender and tell him somethin' like, "I'm watchin' you," or somethin'. If you and your neighbors feel the guy is makin' your neighborhood unsafe, then why not start a neighborhood watch?

Just because you don't like having a sex-offender living nearby, it doesn't mean the end of the world and somethin' can always be done about it.

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zyta

If it's that big of a deal, just move. He won't be going anywhere (legally), but you can move yourself freely as you see fit.

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Spike'sRose

Thanks, atomik_sprout.

I feel that I am a bit sensitive and not quite practical and calm about this topic... (Not just my situation personally... They idea of sex offenders and where they live)

That's why I wanted to know what others thought, people who themselves aren't rape victims. You will never understand that when something like that happens, it's not simply "fear"... And it's not simply an "emotion." You don't "get over" rape. It's a pain so deep that words don't really describe it. So I also think about other victims of a violent sex crimes... Many of which aren't like me, they are still trying to get over it. And even after dealing with it in a healthy manner, and being happy, I am still hurt, and that pain is always behind the scenes.

It's really not the end of the world. It's the initial fear of it, that caught me. The guy would be stupid to do anything, as he's got several pairs of eyes all over him. And, like I said, I'm always packing.

I also thought of this... if they had specific housing set up for violent sex offenders, they would have to be monitored all the time... because really... If they committed another act, they could go to some other city and do it. So that would be pointless, right? V.V;

Guess I'm old school, really... "Eye for and eye" sort of thing... And I refuse to move. I've been victimized enough. Plus, we can't just up and move. My husband and I can't afford it. Otherwise, certainly I would.

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