I just looked up my NW DC address in the DC sex offender registry. Some offenders had the age of the victim listed and whether or not it was a stranger. Most, however, just had things like "rape" or "indecency" and not much else to go on other than the date of conviction and most recent confirmation of registry information. It included everyone who listed a residence or employer within half a mile of my house. There were like 30 of them, primarily older black men. Many of the convictions were from pre-2001. I did learn that there is a white man who works on my block who was convicted of having child pornography a couple years ago. He's my age. I don't see how my daughter is safer now that I have this information. I wasn't going to let her spend time with strangers yesterday, and I'm not going to let her spend time with strangers tomorrow either. |
| You can be put on the list for peeing in public. Go figure |
Re the first scenario, we chose not to stay in the condo. The condo complex is also near a school, and the guy was not supposed to be living there--too close to the school. Neighbors found out (that's how we originally found out) and they had him evicted. So imo the registry helped. In the second scenario, I don't remember now if my brother went or didn't go, (was a few years ago) because this was all obscured by this issue that our uncle was shielding this guy, and had decided to be so paternalistic toward us as to not tell us so we could make our own decisions. I have mixed feelings re the registry. In my situations, I think it helped. We have general safety rules to protect our kids and don't need to rely on the registry, but if you know about a specific individual, you can be even more vigilant. On the flip side, I think it could also give some people a false sense of security (although is anyone that naive these days)? And I think it's problematic for one other big reason: If you are an offender, you can look up your neighboring offenders and now you've got some like-minded friends to share your obsession with. |
| I browse the registry for offenders in the area...just to stay alert. |
| Kids are far more likely to be abused in their own homes, by family and trusted others. Sex offender registries are pointless, and potentially damaging, money sucker-uppers. They keep offenders from finding work and shelter, which ups their chances of re-offending. Their lifelong impact on offenders can scare their victims off from telling anyone they're being abused. Registries are just another way of hurting victims and giving politicians something to pat themselves on the back about. |
| No. I just make sure me watch my children. But now that others have said it I may if I'm moving to make sure my neighbour seems safe. Otherwise, agreed, too much bias in those listings. I know someone on it for a very minor offence that didn't involve anything sexual. But plead guilty bc it was easier than to face the unknown. |
+100000 |