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Originally Posted by analog
Absolutely.
And watch that "crap" word... apparently using a naughty word makes a person "hostile".  |
Sued for what? Moving a bus stop? Yea, that'll show me...
It wasn't what words you used, it's how they're applied and the perceived tone.
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Originally Posted by sapiens
If I found out that there was a convicted sex offender living across the street, I would immediately assume he was dangerous. He is more of a threat than any "unknown" person, regardless of the specifics of his crime. Past criminal behavior, whatever it may be is a good predictor of future criminal behavior. I will always protect the interests of my family over the interests of an unknown convicted sex offender.
After immediately assuming that he is a threat, I would try to find out more about the particulars of his offense. I would adjust my outlook from there.
I don't see any problem with going to a neighbor to discuss the situation. I might ask the advice of a friend before I went to the police. No angry mob was formed as a consequence. There was no lynching. His conviction is a matter of public record. I think that it is reasonable to discuss it in public.
If someone I meet is a convicted felon, regardless of the specifics, I will be hesitant around them. Even if I found out later that they were convicted of having sexual intercourse with their 17 year old girlfriend at age eighteen, I would still feel justified with my initial hesitation. (Though my opinion of them would change for the better).
That said, the sex offender registry system seems seriously flawed. I know that in many communities, it is impossible for a convicted sex offender to find a place to live- all apartments are too close to an "off limits" area. If convicted and released sex offenders are so dangerous, perhaps we need to improve their rehabilitation. I also know of people who must register because of a streaking incident in college. Being a registered sex offender for such an offense is absurd. Knowing this, I would still assume that an unknown sex offender is dangerous before knowing more about him (or her).
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Careful there, assumption apparently is a tier3 crime....
If my kids were in the path of an oncoming car, I don't think I'd try to analyze how fast it was going, who the driver is, what the make is, before getting them out of harm's way. First, I'd get them out of there.
The so-called 'whacked out neighbor' did what I should have done-went to the authorities. In doing so, an overlooked mistake was rectified. Granted, anonymously sent rap sheets were mailed, but for all I know, she might have been advised to do so-I only know by reading the NJSP guidelines on their registry site that the information posted was not to be used that way, so I didn't do it. Hell, for all I know, she didn't mail them either, maybe someone else did.
To make accusations against me, regarding some imagined vigilanteism and lack of 'intelligence' is just ridiculous in light of what had happened and went completely offcourse. The simple matter is, Megan's Law, as you and I and others have stated, is flawed, but it's the way the law is, it's there for public protection and, as long as anyone stays within the somewhat skewed parameters of it, rights are not infringed. Taking the 'side' of a felon, coming down on anyone who would dare to act on their family's behalf is incredulous to me, specially when the constant idea that the action was 'half-cocked', etc. is pushed and that hasn't been the case here.
Is it better to not have a registry? Is the unknown just as 'dangerous'? To the second, I'd say yes and have acted accordingly in regards to teaching my kids. To the first, though, just like we have to assume until more information is available that the offender is not some misunderstood boyfriend of a 16 year-old, the authorities that control the online registry have to assume that those who use it are responsible adults. My responsibility has not been compromised just so I could go 'whacko' on anyone. I have no control over anyone else who gets the same information.