Sex offenders registry and home search (Spring: apartments, safe neighborhood, school district)

[3shipguy]

I've been looking at homes in Oak Forest/Garden Oaks and Spring Branch and was about to place a bid, but at the 11th hour decided to search the sex offenders registry of the area. What I found was disheartening, to say the least. After months of searching and finally finding a home my wife and I both agreed on, this definitely threw a monkey wrench in our plans. I searched other areas around the loop and the number of offenders was astonishing. Now I'm starting to think I should just stay in my patio home in a manned gated community despite my family outgrowing it. Is this the price you pay for living in town? Thoughts?

[cheryjohns]

They have always been out there - there just wasn't a web site in the old days. It would make a difference to me if they lived next door - but not that there was some in the area. They are everywhere. The biggest concentration is in zips with a lot of apartments who take felonies.

Also, look to see exactly what it was that branded them a sex offender. Sometimes a 18 year old guy will have his 17 year old girlfriend's dad charge him.

Even in deep suburbia, I don't know any parents who allow their children to run as free as we used to do.

[Oildog]

I know more than a couple folks who were charged with public urination, that became classified as offenders. They may have been behind a school at a football game or at a festival or concert within range of a minor.

[3shipguy]

What's disheartening is the sheer amount in each of the zip codes I was searching, over 50 in each 77018, 77092 and 77055. The sex offenders registry website does list the offense committed. It seems only newer master planned communities in other zip codes had the least amount.

[cheryjohns]

New subdivisions? Give them some time and they will have as many.

Oildog has the same point I made earlier. By labeling everything as a sex offence - it actually helps blanket the real offenders.

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by cheryjohns

Also, look to see exactly what it was that branded them a sex offender. Sometimes a 18 year old guy will have his 17 year old girlfriend's dad charge him.

that's what I hate about it.
The registry should be split into different categories to allow people to identify people that are truly a danger to children.
I was reading that in that registry there's people that urinated in public, HS sweethearts, were flashing in public, etc, etc.
I'm not afraid of them, I'm afraid of the ones that .... in few words are sick people.

Add to that 16 and 17 is legal is several states.

Back to topic (sorry)
They are everywhere, keep in mind that the ones you see are the ones that got in trouble.
I don't trust anybody, period.

[3shipguy]

I hear ya. At the same token, you don't want to put your family more at risk by living in close proximity to predators.

[wintersbone]

honestly you should worry about the ones you dont know about. they arent documented.

[keepingquiet]

So many things can get a person on the sex offender registry. Even kids who send each other naked pictures end up on the registry Legally any girl under 18 who sends her boyfriend a naked picture of her is disseminating child porn and her boyfriend is then in possession of child porn even if he is younger than she is.

[angiesu]

The registry won't protect you from those NOT on the list. They haven't been caught yet or they are not registered in THIS state. I would not use that as a basis for a home. You choose a good school district in a safe neighborhood. Keep an eye on your kids and teach them stranger danger.