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A common sense approach
That’s My Opinion
By Bob Robinson
February 11, 2011
County News Online posted a Stranger-Danger story today from Citizens 4
Change, to be offered with the cooperation of Greenville City Schools.
Phenomenal!!!
I was disheartened to hear that Greenville City Council passed its
resolution Tuesday night to increase the 1,000-foot buffer zone where
sex offenders can’t live to 1,500 feet.
The resolution also expands the prohibited areas in which sex offenders
can spend “leisure” time to include city parks and the Greenville
Library.
According to a Daily Advocate story, the city acknowledges it faces at
least two possible lawsuits as a result of this action. One which is
likely to be filed by John Graham, director of Good Samaritan Homes,
and one that could be filed by the Ohio Justice and Policy Center.
I didn’t know about that second one. Graham has told me repeatedly that
if this passes, he’s heading to federal court.
According to the story, Council Member Tracy Tryon said this could be
expensive for the city. The cost to taxpayers could range from $200,000
if they win in court, or $500,000 or more if they lose.
Nothing was mentioned about appeals. If that was included in the cost
estimate it wasn’t noted.
Also, nothing was mentioned about another possible cost to the city.
Lousy PR.
I did a quick Internet search for stories on lawsuits against
communities with expanded buffer zones for sex offenders. I couldn’t
find any.
That means it is likely to be big news. Channel 7 has already flooded
the airwaves with it… morning, noon and night. The Advocate has
reported on it. If it actually goes to trial, it will more than likely
be picked up by various reporting agencies, including Associated Press.
Great publicity for a community with 10 percent official unemployment,
struggling to bring in and/or retain jobs for its citizens.
Some may applaud the city’s stance. Others will perceive Greenville as
a closed community… hardly a place where they want to establish a
business relationship.
With this brief research, I discovered something else.
There’s a plethora of opinions, articles and research reports
indicating this is not a good idea. Two particular research reports
published by “respected” members of the academic community – that I
read word for word last week – said the same thing.
One question that keeps coming up is “how will this be enforced?”
Damn good question. Passing a law that makes us feel good but is not
likely to be enforced “across the board” is an exercise in futility, is
it not? Keep in mind that the main target of this legislation was
Graham’s homes. His “charges” represent a very small percentage of the
total sex offender population in Greenville.
Added to the legal costs of fending off challenges… an enforcement
officer? An assistant to new Safety Service Director Rodd Hale? I don’t
know much about the legal system, but it would seem that strict
enforcement – if it happens – is going to cost bucks. Maybe even big
bucks.
Finally, what has this legislation done to address the real sex
offender problem? The perverts our kids know, and in some cases love,
who fly under the radar until such time as a child begins to suspect
that something isn’t right?
Those are the creeps who worry me most.
The unintended consequences of right-minded public servants passing
legislation to deal with highly emotional and volatile issues often
come back to bite us. I have a feeling this might be one of them.
Just to make sure I step on the toes of everyone, let me be clear about
something else. I’ve expressed my feelings on the subject in the past
and I’ve not changed my mind…
Sex PREDATORS should be drawn and quartered, preferably in the middle
of the town square. Sex offenders who IRREVOCABLY injure or ruin the
lives of innocent victims with their actions should never, ever see the
light of day again.
Both categories of slime are plagues to our society and have no
business being part of it.
The single positive thing I’ve seen to come out of this whole mess is
being reported in today’s CNO story. A Stranger Danger program is going
to be presented to our young people through the efforts of Citizens 4
Change with the cooperation of Greenville City Schools.
It provides a common-sense approach to let kids know they have to be
careful of strangers; but it also advises them of the limits to
liberties they should allow to anyone… whether they know them or not.
This is a huge step in the right direction.
I applaud C4C for taking leadership in this program; and I applaud
Greenville City Schools for helping it happen.
That’s a realistic, common sense approach to dealing with this bane on
our society.
That’s my opinion. What’s yours?
Bob Robinson is the
retired editor of The Daily Advocate, Greenville, Ohio, a Senior
Scribe, a Director of the Senior Scribes Scholarship Fund and Editor of
County News Online. If you wish to receive a daily notification of
CNO’s comments, opinions and reports, send your email address to:
countynewsonline@gmail.com. Feel free to express your views.
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