Another "neighbor is a registered sex offender" question

[Anonymous]

So. Today I just learned that our very close by neighbor is a registered sex offender for child pornography. I am certainly glad I know and will be more vigilant and alert about my very young kids. Our neighborhood is pretty small: three streets and a cul de sac so pretty small grid. We recently moved and barely know our neighbors. We have exchanged pleasantries with a neighbor that recently moved in with small children. There are lots of other families with young children as well. So, here are the facts and let me know if you think I should tell either the new neighbor who I'm friendly with, the other neighbors as well or nobody:

1. All I know from the registry is that it was for child porn. I have no idea whether the depictions were brutal, sadistic, involved young children or were of 17 year old children. To me, it makes a difference whether this person was looking at pictures of girls who looked like women, or boys or young children. I have no idea whether it was just viewing it, distributing it or making it

2. I don't know the neighbors. Perhaps they know this guy, know of his past, and really like him or at least, don't mind that he's a neighbor. Again, I don't know the nature of the charges so who knows how bad it actually is. I may look like a pot-stirrer when that would not be my intent.

3. I've never even met the guy and have no reason to think, other than the conviction, that he is a threat to my children.

That being said, I am personally very glad that I do know and would like to be informed if I were not in the know. Finally, if I should tell the neighbors, how could I possibly do that without it seeming like I am on a witch hunt or crusade, which I am not. Thanks in advance. I'm a litttle shaken up at the news and wish we would have checked the registry before we moved in.

[Anonymous]

You need to step back. You are the new neighbor. You want to come move into the neighborhood and immediately start gossiping about a neighbor who has possibly lived there for years?

By the way, I am very good friends with someone whose husband was on that registry. In his younger years he was a photographer. One time he got hired to take pics of people at a party. So he did. Many of the partiers were drunk. A few were dancing on tables. Two flashed him while drunk and dancing on tables. They were underage. He had no idea. They have two small kids. The whole family is lovely. We have let them babysit our kids. My friend and her husband worked very hard, for many years to get his name cleared and as of two years ago it finally is.

I just tell you this so you realize how far things can go wrong. Don't gossip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to step back. You are the new neighbor. You want to come move into the neighborhood and immediately start gossiping about a neighbor who has possibly lived there for years?

By the way, I am very good friends with someone whose husband was on that registry. In his younger years he was a photographer. One time he got hired to take pics of people at a party. So he did. Many of the partiers were drunk. A few were dancing on tables. Two flashed him while drunk and dancing on tables. They were underage. He had no idea. They have two small kids. The whole family is lovely. We have let them babysit our kids. My friend and her husband worked very hard, for many years to get his name cleared and as of two years ago it finally is.

I just tell you this so you realize how far things can go wrong. Don't gossip.

I agree that it wouldn't be wise to go around posting flyers or knocking on doors to alert your neighbors, but the story above is definitely the exception, and not the norm. The vast, vast majority of guys on that registry deserve to be on that registry.

Anyway, I think I would mention it in passing (on the playground, or something) to one or two close neighbors, Sort of like a "did you know that so-and-so is on the registry? Wow, a little unnerving" or something like that. Then gauge reactions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You need to step back. You are the new neighbor. You want to come move into the neighborhood and immediately start gossiping about a neighbor who has possibly lived there for years?

By the way, I am very good friends with someone whose husband was on that registry. In his younger years he was a photographer. One time he got hired to take pics of people at a party. So he did. Many of the partiers were drunk. A few were dancing on tables. Two flashed him while drunk and dancing on tables. They were underage. He had no idea. They have two small kids. The whole family is lovely. We have let them babysit our kids. My friend and her husband worked very hard, for many years to get his name cleared and as of two years ago it finally is.

I just tell you this so you realize how far things can go wrong. Don't gossip.

I agree that it wouldn't be wise to go around posting flyers or knocking on doors to alert your neighbors, but the story above is definitely the exception, and not the norm. The vast, vast majority of guys on that registry deserve to be on that registry.

Anyway, I think I would mention it in passing (on the playground, or something) to one or two close neighbors, Sort of like a "did you know that so-and-so is on the registry? Wow, a little unnerving" or something like that. Then gauge reactions.

So you would gossip to your new neighbors about their neighbor who they've known longer than you. Nice. If you said that to me, I would give you a look of disgust, walk away, and never talk to you again. Gossip.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely mention it to any parent you speak to that has young children. Better for a small minority of weirdo neighbors who will think it's inappropriate to nevertheless be aware than for even 1 child to get molested. Hell, I'd rather every neighbor there hate my guts than 1 child get molested. And if 1 got molested, trust me, you'd never know about it. The parents might never know either.

I would certainly want for you to tell me!! OMG.

And here is the absolute bottom line - if he has child porn, he molests children. And wants to molest children. And jerks off fantasizing about children. ugh! gross.

[Anonymous]

Why is that gossiping - it's public information and she's trying to get the details. OP, I would befriend another mother I the neighborhood and casually bring it up.

[Anonymous]

This isn't gossiping. 'Did you know so-and-so cheated on his wife?' is gossiping.

OP, I would definitely want to know. But I am guessing that any parents in the neighborhood already know (if they're like me, and familiarize themselves with the offender registry for their area).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely mention it to any parent you speak to that has young children. Better for a small minority of weirdo neighbors who will think it's inappropriate to nevertheless be aware than for even 1 child to get molested. Hell, I'd rather every neighbor there hate my guts than 1 child get molested. And if 1 got molested, trust me, you'd never know about it. The parents might never know either.

I would certainly want for you to tell me!! OMG.

And here is the absolute bottom line - if he has child porn, he molests children. And wants to molest children. And jerks off fantasizing about children. ugh! gross.

AGREE!!!!

[Anonymous]

I think you can call the police and ask for details on the case and they will tell you. It is possible that it's not prepubescent children and I agree with PP, that's gross but not as scary.

[Anonymous]

Or. You can mention to your neighbor what kids you did the registry search and what do thy think?

[Anonymous]

You should get a copy of the charging documents and police report. Call the courthouse to find out how.

[Anonymous]

I seem to remember a news story a few years back about a teen age girl (I want to say she was around 14 or 15?) that was taking nude pics of herself with her cell phone so she could send them to her boyfriend, and SHE was charged with possession of child porn--since she was a child.

I wonder how many people are on the registry for things like that--a nude pic of themselves when they were a teen? That's why I really wish the registry gave more detail about the crime.

[Anonymous]

21:49 here

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/two-teens-charged-with-child-pornography-after-sex/nDNW6/

I'm not sure if this was the story I was remembering, or if there was another (or several others?)

[Anonymous]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,488044,00.html

[Anonymous]

OP here-thanks for the responses. My initial inclination was not to say anything to anyone precisely because I don't know much except the code section that he was convicted under. I do thnk that it would be more helpful to provide more imformation on ghe registry.
I got to thinking that I am grateful to have learned of this so I know to be aware. It surely was not my intent to gossip but to be a good parent. I think the suggestion to go to the courthouse to read the nature of the offense is a good suggestion.