Know your neighbors! Check the SO Registry NOW! (sex offenders, crime)

[TNNative]

You can change towns, change any cosmetic thing about your new home...change the carpet, the wall colors, the kitchen curtains, your phone number....but one thing you can't change is your neighbors.

Today I got an email from FamilyWatchdog.com saying I had a neighbor move near me that is on the Tennessee Sexual Offender Registry (check out Tennessee.gov for the state site). If you already are locked into a home, join the Family Watchdog site. If you're looking for a home, check out the address of the house you are really interested in. Neighbors may come and go, but if they've been there for years, they probably won't. You can't always guarantee what kind of neighbors you get....but you can reconsider moving next door to someone that you will always have concerns about.

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by TNNative

You can change towns, change any cosmetic thing about your new home...change the carpet, the wall colors, the kitchen curtains, your phone number....but one thing you can't change is your neighbors.

Today I got an email from FamilyWatchdog.com saying I had a neighbor move near me that is on the Tennessee Sexual Offender Registry (check out Tennessee.gov for the state site). If you already are locked into a home, join the Family Watchdog site. If you're looking for a home, check out the address of the house you are really interested in. Neighbors may come and go, but if they've been there for years, they probably won't. You can't always guarantee what kind of neighbors you get....but you can reconsider moving next door to someone that you will always have concerns about.

You might want to wait until August. That's when everyone who commited a sex crime prior to 1995 has to register, too. Up until the new law went into effect, they didn't have to register.

You might want to look at something else on that registry and that is how many commited statutory rape. I don't feel those people are a threat to the community.

[jimj]

LauraC, Good point, I know it is the latest crime dejure and everyone hates kiddy crimes and it has become fashionable to burn all convicted at the steak but you also have to realize when you are looking at that list that many are on it for doing things that have absolutely no impact to your safety level.

Were y'all aware that you can end up on the offenders list for relieving yourself next to the highway? Or, you can end up on the list if 20 years ago you were 18 and your girlfiriend was 17 and got caught messing around. Yes, you should be concerned with high level offenders and I would definately be watching if a level 3 moved in next door (most likely to re-offend) but let's say someone who had a conviction 15-20 years ago and has had no contact with police since moves in?
Well, I personally would have to figure a lesson learned. This is not to say I wouldn't be a little wary, we are wary around everyone we don't know.

[hiknapster]

Well, I agree with you to a point, JimJ.

If the guy was 30 and molested a 12-year-old, 20 years ago? I don't think it was lesson learned. He's a child molester and always will be. He just hasn't been reported or caught.

The other examples I agree with.

[Cougargm]

with the registries. Not all sex offenders are required to register, and many don't comply to begin with. Worse unfortunately is that there are even more sex offenders that have never been either caught, charged or convicted than there are imprisoned for their crimes.
The biggest caution is that while the stranger abducting a child captures the media's attention, this isn't typical of sex offenders. Most offenders prey on children they know and feel are vulnerable: kids that don't feel close or connected to their families;kids that are lonely, etc. Most sex offenders are males that people that know them wouldn't suspect: a relative, family friend, coach, youth worker or youth minister, etc.
Knowing who your kids spend time with, what they do with their free time and where, monitoring their online time (chat rooms and myspace are open doors for predators), etc. honestly will provide more security for your child's well being than checking any registry.

[doc1]

[quote=jimj;995745]. Were y'all aware that you can end up on the offenders list for relieving yourself next to the highway? QUOTE]

I am in big, BIG trouble.