Sex Offenders Rounded Up For Halloween

[Coop77]

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/31/hal...ers/index.html

(CNN) -- Scores of sex offenders in Anderson, South Carolina, will be corralled for Halloween tonight in a move authorities say is needed to keep kids safe as they trick or treat.

"At 5 p.m., we are going to require all of our probation/parole/pardon sex offenders to report to the office and they'll remain here from 5 to 10:30 p.m," agent Gerald Black, with the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon, told CNN affiliate WYFF.

Authorities in Roanoke, Virginia, will do the same. "You have a safer public. We have all the offenders in this area that are on probation or parole in one location. We know where they are," Randy Phillips with the Department of Corrections told CNN affiliate WSLS.

While there's a debate about the need for restrictions and authorities aren't imposing such stringent restrictions everywhere, special limits on sex offenders for the evening are widespread.

"Our agents will be out in force, checking on sex offenders, to ensure that they stay behind locked doors, in dark houses, with absolutely no contact with 'trick-or-treaters' on Halloween night," said Tom Hoffman, California Department of Correction and Rehabilitation director of parole.

Paroled offenders in California have a 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, cannot leave any outside lights on and may not answer their doors except for law enforcement. Illinois offenders face similar restrictions, including a ban on dressing in a costume.

Sheriff's deputies in Harris County, Texas, have been checking homes of sex offenders for Halloween decorations and are ready to arrest violators.

"We actually have probation officers riding with us," Precinct 7 Deputy Johnathon Davis told CNN affiliate KPRC. "They're going to issue them a citation or their probation is going to be revoked."

About 2,000 registered sex offenders in Maryland will be required to post "No Candy" signs on their doors on Halloween night.

Michigan and Wisconsin are among states urging parents to check the state's public sex offender registry before venturing out in search of treats.

"For many parents, Halloween represents a time when our children fan out into neighborhoods that may not be familiar," Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox told CNN affiliate WDIV. "Doing a timely check of the sex offender registry can help parents be informed about potential risks in the community and take appropriate measures to safeguard their children."

Authorities in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, took preventative measures Sunday, arresting 11 sex offenders on probation and parole violations during a sweep of 100 homes, CNN affiliate WISN reported.

One of the Milwaukee offenders was arrested after police found a candy dish and children's toys, both prohibited items, in his apartment.

But some say the sex offender roundups and restrictions are more show than safety.

"There has not been a single case of any child being molested by a convicted sex offender while trick-or-treating," writes columnist Benjamin Radford on LiveScience.com.

Rebecca Brunger, an Alaska probation officer, told the Anchorage Daily News her state doesn't put any extra restrictions on sex offenders on Halloween as there's never been a case there of a trick-or-treater being molested by a registered offender.

Idaho defense attorney Tim Gresback told the Spokesman-Review, in Spokane, Washington, that extra Halloween restrictions on sex offenders are unnecessary.

"Here we're creating a new police action squad to go out and address a problem that has never manifested itself in the community," Gresback told the newspaper. He said in 20 years he'd never run across a case of a sex offender attacking a child on Halloween.

But states and communities don't want to take any chances.

New York offenders face a 3 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew coupled with phone calls and visits from probation officers.

"Our Halloween operation gives parents, caregivers, law enforcement and the community added assurance that children will be protected and neighborhoods will be safe from known predators," said George B. Alexander, chairman of the New York state Division of Parole.

[Coop77]

I'm all for keeping kids safe, but something just doesn't feel right about this. It seems anti-American to me.. the idea that we brand people as offenders for life, for crimes they've already done the time for, and round them up just in case they do it again. There is total pedo-hysteria in America.

[AandF6969]

Seems unconstitutional... like unreasonable search and seizure, or unlawful detainment?

[Haro3]

Seems unconstitutional... like unreasonable search and seizure, or unlawful detainment?

agreed, but then again you forfit some rights when you commit certain crimes....

[Tock]

Um, when you're sentenced for a crime, and you fulfill that sentence, then that should be it. Once their debt to society is paid, that should be it. Finito, Done, Finish.

[BITTAPART2]

Um, when you're sentenced for a crime, and you fulfill that sentence, then that should be it. Once their debt to society is paid, that should be it. Finito, Done, Finish.

I agree, but i also have a child and sort of understand this action taken by the govt. BUT it also pisses me off that George W has gone and broken the laws of our consitution for stuff that I dont agree with at all and people are getting upset about this and not the fact that weve had our phones/emails bugged and letters open etc.

[RA]

I knew I shouldnt go dressed as a sex offender...

[AandF6969]

agreed, but then again you forfit some rights when you commit certain crimes....

Doesn't matter what crime you commit, as long as your sentence is paid, the government shouldn't be able to take unconstitutional action against you. Should people that get DUI's have a curfew of 9pm? Or have to wear electronic monitoring bracelets to make sure they're in the house at that time?

[Logan13]

Doesn't matter what crime you commit, as long as your sentence is paid, the government shouldn't be able to take unconstitutional action against you. Should people that get DUI's have a curfew of 9pm? Or have to wear electronic monitoring bracelets to make sure they're in the house at that time?

You rape a child, you should be killed in the first place. They are lucky to be out walking around...........

[soulstealer]

You rape a child, you should be killed in the first place. They are lucky to be out walking around...........

I agree with you logan but in the same instance you cant go compromising our very rights and liberties in any situation or it opens the door to greater violation..

[DSM4Life]

Um, when you're sentenced for a crime, and you fulfill that sentence, then that should be it. Once their debt to society is paid, that should be it. Finito, Done, Finish.

Whats the debt for molesting a child ? And why is he paying society and not the child/family whom he has destroyed for the rest of their lives ?

[Flagg]

You rape a child, you should be killed in the first place. They are lucky to be out walking around...........

Agreed! You people keep going on about how they've "paid their debt to society" but you seem to forget the victims that have to live with that shame and violation for the rest of their lives. That in itself is a life sentence.

[Coop77]

You rape a child, you should be killed in the first place. They are lucky to be out walking around...........

Anyone that actually forcibly raped a child is probably in prison. A lot of "sex offenders" are people who had sex with their 17 year old girlfriend when they were 18, or other retarded bs.

But that's beside the point. I hate to defend child molesters, but even child molesters have rights. In CA you can enter your address into a website (http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/) and it will give you the names, addresses, and even pictures of sex offenders in your neighborhood. People will use this to go lynch these people.

[spywizard]

Here in Minnesota, after their criminal sentence is served, they are committed to life in a mental institution..

period..

level 3 offenders..

[CAT1]

The problem is there is no "cure" for the "urge to molest". Sex ofenders are 50% more likly to commit again . Thats why they are required to stay away from certain areas and events . Its common that even "rehabilitated" offenders will have childrens items in their
homes for arousel purposes. They will even subconsiously have other items to entice
children to there homes , the urge is often unconcious, they believe they are over the compulsion . Unfortunatly it is usually to late we realize they are following old patterns.
So prevention even at the loss of some freedom is for now the best policy. Some states have been known to hold sex offenders indefinatly by stating the need for commitment in a state hospital. This allows the state to impose an almost life sentance. which is better?

[Tock]

Agreed! You people keep going on about how they've "paid their debt to society" but you seem to forget the victims that have to live with that shame and violation for the rest of their lives. That in itself is a life sentence.

It's up to the judge to decide what the punishment should be, not the legislature, not the local city council. If a judge sentences you to 5 years in jail for auto theft, it's probably unconstitutional for your local city council or state legislature to sentence you to another 5 years in jail on top of that. Punishment for crime is something that, in American justice, is done by judges in courts. Not by anyone else.

If the legislature wants to sentence child molesters to life in prison, or 20 years in prison and then to never come within 1 mile of a school, that's one thing. But for a local municipality to add an extra sentence once he's fulfilled the terms of the judge's sentence, that's giving local officials powers reserved for judges. Not cool.

[AandF6969]

Once again, exchanging freedoms for safety. How far will you let the government go until you feel "safe?" They wiretap people without warrants now, and can hold you in prison indefinitely if they just say you're a "suspected terrorist"

[mcpeepants]

Once you have served your time, your sanctioned punishment is over.

[thegodfather]

Lets disect this issue, and not talk about what the crime was for a second.

This is a VERY unpopular crime. Does that mean that we hold it to a different standard once the punishment has been served? It is also a VERY broad category, and does not mean that in every case the person is a pedophile. You can get sex offender status for urinating in public.

Now, suppose that steroids in the next 20 years become so unpopular, that municipalities start imposing such strict actions against people convicted of posession/dsitribution of AAS, would you still agree with such actions?

[Red Ketchup]

That is a seriously slippery slope...

Seems that the civil rights slope is getting slipperier by the day lately in the US... scary stuff.

Red

[thegodfather]

That is a seriously slippery slope...

Seems that the civil rights slope is getting slipperier by the day lately in the US... scary stuff.

Red

Glad there is still someone rational in here who isn't advocating lynching people without due process.

[Logan13]

Glad there is still someone rational in here who isn't advocating lynching people without due process.

too bad you weren't around to aid Dahmer.............

[crazycrab]

If they killed the F**kers then they would not have to round them up. Sex affenders are sick people that can not be helped. They are always going to sick so i say just get rid of them.

[thegodfather]

too bad you weren't around to aid Dahmer.............

Not sure what that is even supposed to mean, or why its directed at me at all. I dont agree with anything these people have done, I think that the crime should warrant a life sentence because presently there is no cure for the illness. However, I believe in the system we have in place(the way it was originally meant to work), and since these people do get out on the streets and they do have rights, I will never agree with big brother taking away more rights from people. I also do not think that someone taking a piss in public deserves to have their personal lives ruined in such a way...

The article says 'sex offenders' it doesnt say 'pedophiles&rapists'...so that includes people who were guilty of stupid offenses but were bad enough to get that label. Its a wife ranging field of offenses.

If you got caught with AAS, would you like to be labeled as a 'drug offender', because you would be, and we all know the truth about that.

[Red Ketchup]

too bad you weren't around to aid Dahmer.............

Hey Dahmer went thru DUE PROCESS, and got convicted and punished accordingly (and murdered in jail too ).

Nothing slippery there. Due process was followed and the bastard got everthing he deserved. You're using sensationalism to compare apples to oranges Logan...

Trust me, I'd like nothing more than to see all child molestors locked away forever (remember, I'm a dad)... but thats just not how our laws works.

Once you have done your time, you are free within the conditions imposed by the judge and applicable laws (hence the sex offenders registry). You are not free except when some mickey mouse town mayor or sheriff wishes otherwise.

Sex offenders today, what tomorrow? Sports competition is in town, lets round up and lock up all the steroids users? Kids are in the streets for halloween night, lets round up and lock up everyone who got busted driving drunk or got cited for driving too fast? Where does it end?

It's a slippery slope man, a very slippery one.

Red

[RANA]

Wow, I can't believe how many people are defending child molesters. They are sick fvcks that can not be cured, EVER. They are sex offenders for LIFE.
I am just curious who here has had there freedom taken or in some ways interfered with here in the US?

[Red Ketchup]

Rana stup making shït up and READ what people are writing.

NOBODY is defending child molestors, we ALL want to see them locked away forever.

But until judges do just that, they have rights just like you and me and those rights and have to be respected, no matter how much I hate it.

As I said, they're rounding up perverts today, what's it going to be tomorrow?

Red

[RANA]

Rana stup making shït up and READ what people are writing.

NOBODY is defending child molestors, we ALL want to see them locked away forever.

But until judges do just that, they have rights just like you and me and those rights and have to be respected, no matter how much I hate it.

As I said, they're rounding up perverts today, what's it going to be tomorrow?

Red

I did read what people said, it's seems like they think big brother is coming because there is a curfew on child molesters.
BTW, the judge did give the power to the probation/parole officers to place certain conditions on convicted criminals. Probation/parole officers can set curfews with individuals they supervise.

There was NO violation of anyone’s civil rights

[Tock]

Wow, I can't believe how many people are defending child molesters. They are sick fvcks that can not be cured, EVER. They are sex offenders for LIFE.

No, not defending child molesters. We're defending the Justice System.

The way things are supposed to work (here in the US, anyway), once you're convicted of a crime, you do your time in prison, and then you get out, and that's it. The legislature sets the range of punishment for a crime, the judge sets your particular punishment, you do it, and that's it. Nobody else gets to tack on additional punishment. Not the victim, not the state legislature, not the city, not anyone. Some cities are doing it right now, but it isn't Constitutional, and sooner or later someone's gonna challenge the practice in court, and they'll have to stop.

I am just curious who here has had there freedom taken or in some ways interfered with here in the US?

Anyone who ever wanted to put themselves under the care of their medical doctor while taking 'roids for bodybuilding, for starters.

And there are lots of gay folks who would like to marry, but can't, and consequently have lots more hassles and pay more taxes.

And the federal government has been reading your mail (and mine) without your permission and without a warrant from a court of law. Maybe you don't mind; maybe you think it's ok for the gov't to do this as long as you have "nothing to hide." In this case, you may as well just assume your place in the world as subservient to government; its power is greater than yours. You exist to serve it.

Oy vey . . .

[Red Ketchup]

BTW, the judge did give the power to the probation/parole officers to place certain conditions on convicted criminals.

Yup, and you are 100% right there and I fully agree with you. As long as you are on parole or probation you are still technically "incarcerated" and are subject to the conditions of the correction officers.

The problem is that they also went after people who had done their time, had pardons, and in some states they just used the offender registry at large. Thats where in my opinion the slope starts to get slippery.

Red

[RANA]

No, not defending child molesters. We're defending the Justice System.

The way things are supposed to work (here in the US, anyway), once you're convicted of a crime, you do your time in prison, and then you get out, and that's it. The legislature sets the range of punishment for a crime, the judge sets your particular punishment, you do it, and that's it. Nobody else gets to tack on additional punishment. Not the victim, not the state legislature, not the city, not anyone. Some cities are doing it right now, but it isn't Constitutional, and sooner or later someone's gonna challenge the practice in court, and they'll have to stop.

Nope that's not it, Probation and/or Parole, plus they are registered sex offenders. In most cases they have to register the rest of there lives if the don't the feds will come knocking on your door if you move out of state and fail to register.

Anyone who ever wanted to put themselves under the care of their medical doctor while taking 'roids for bodybuilding, for starters.

And there are lots of gay folks who would like to marry, but can't, and consequently have lots more hassles and pay more taxes.

And the federal government has been reading your mail (and mine) without your permission and without a warrant from a court of law. Maybe you don't mind; maybe you think it's ok for the gov't to do this as long as you have "nothing to hide." In this case, you may as well just assume your place in the world as subservient to government; its power is greater than yours. You exist to serve it.

Oy vey . . .

The marriage issue with gays is called the will of the people. The people have overwelmingly reject that issue.

Who in the government is reading your mail? This is the first I had of that.

[RANA]

Yup, and you are 100% right there and I fully agree with you. As long as you are on parole or probation you are still technically "incarcerated" and are subject to the conditions of the correction officers.

The problem is that they also went after people who had done their time, had pardons, and in some states they just used the offender registry at large. Thats where in my opinion the slope starts to get slippery.

Red

I can see your point

[BgMc31]

I fully support what most have said here. But try telling this to someone who has had their child molested or raped by someone who had 'done their time'. It's the overwhelming likelihood of repeat offending that causes these additional restrictions on the movement of sex offenders. The real problem is the blanket assumption that all sex offenders are pedophiles or child rapists. Like stated before most sex offenders are statuatory rapists and/or public indecency perpatrators. As a father of three children (I don't worry to much about my teenage sons because they are built like Dad, but my teenage daughter is another issue), I feel comfortable knowing where in proximity I live to these child rapists. Here in Nevada the registry indicates what sex offense the perpatrator was found guilty of. But I also agree that if we allow such oversight, where would it end? Slippery slope indeed and nothing is black and white.

And Logan your comment about Dahmer was way out of left field. Dahmer wasn't a pedophile or child rapists, he preyed on young men (none were under age), and he killed and ate people. No defense of that shit at all!!!!

[thegodfather]

Nope that's not it, Probation and/or Parole, plus they are registered sex offenders. In most cases they have to register the rest of there lives if the don't the feds will come knocking on your door if you move out of state and fail to register.

What is your point? Yes, the LAW says they have to register for the rest of their lives. That is the only stipulation of their being released, other then that they have the same Constitutional rights as you and I. For any municipality to do what they are doing, to those people who have served their time, or otherwise been pardoned, is completely unconstitutional and a gross violation of their civil rights, and just another example of law enforcement trying to overstep their bounds.





The marriage issue with gays is called the will of the people. The people have overwelmingly reject that issue.
Not even going to comment on this, Im unsure as to why it is included in this argument at all?

Who in the government is reading your mail? This is the first I had of that.
Have you been living in a cave? Google the "unitary executive"...There has been warrantless spying of US citizens for a couple years now. Bush asserts under the Unitary Executive in the interests of national security he does not need warrants for his agencies to conduct MASSIVE wire tappings of every type of electronic transmission. Completely unconstitutional and a disgrace to the constituion and democracy in general.

In red...