Locking up pedophiles on Halloween

[va32h]

Here in Texas, one county is requiring all its registered sex offenders (w/incidents involving children) to report to the jailhouse at 6pm on Halloween night, and remain til 10pm.

Other counties will be performing spot checks at the homes of registered offenders, to ensure that they do not have Halloween decorations or porch lights on.

All in an effort to keep kids safe on a night when they will be out in hordes.

I think this is a great idea - but to my complete shock, some folks here have argued that this is an unreasonable restriction. And not the molesters or their family members or lawyers either. Everyday citizens with no personal stake in the issue.

I am usually able to separate my emotional responses from issue of constitutionality or personal freedoms - but when it comes to child molesters, I just can't do it.

 

[monkeyboy]

I am usually able to separate my emotional responses from issue of constitutionality or personal freedoms - but when it comes to child molesters, I just can't do it.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I can hear people saying it is a violation of their rights.. I am not surprised at all. Personally, I think it is a smart thing to do.

 

[sha_lyn]

While I understand the emotion behind it, it is a serious violation of personal rights IMHO. When rights are violated and accepted, we all stand a chance of loosing rights in the end.

 

[Mad4Mickey]

I saw this tonight on the news I say GOOD FOR US !!!

 

[graygables]

While I understand the emotion behind it, it is a serious violation of personal rights IMHO. When rights are violated and accepted, we all stand a chance of loosing rights in the end.

My daughter's rights were violated by a pedophile. Whose rights take precedence? We all must sacrifice some personal liberties to maintain the safety of others. Lock 'em up.

 

[sha_lyn]

They can't be locked up forever (unless serving a life sentence).
Why don't we ask parents to actually watch their children while trick or treating. Is that such a foreign concept?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i dont care if violates there rights
as far as im concerned they lost all rights when they hurt a child

 

[dis ms.]

Hmmm...what an interesting concept.

I suppose I can see the personal rights argument, but I don't have any sympathy for someone who hurts children.

What happens to the sex offenders that don't show up at the jailhouse? It seems like a hard thing to enforce.

 

[sha_lyn]

but where does it end. Get a traffic ticket, never drive again? We must tread lightly when it come to basic rights violations. Monitor them yes, lock them up with out cause, no.

Like I said before, what ever happened to the parents actually watching their kids while TorTing?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

but where does it end. Get a traffic ticket, never drive again? We must tread lightly when it come to basic rights violations. Monitor them yes, lock them up with out cause, no.

Like I said before, what ever happened to the parents actually watching their kids while TorTing?

parents should watch there kids but lets not kid some parents stink
i think if a person hurts a child they should be locked up forever
they dont get second chances
they DONT derserve rights
what rights do we give the child that is raped abused tortured
they have to carry that event with them forever and it can impact there lives forever
i dont care what happens to those people
they deserve the worst

 

[dis ms.]

but where does it end. Get a traffic ticket, never drive again? We must tread lightly when it come to basic rights violations. Monitor them yes, lock them up with out cause, no.

Like I said before, what ever happened to the parents actually watching their kids while TorTing?

I agree that parents should be watching their kids. Obviously, that's the best defense. But, sadly, some parents turn their kids loose on Halloween, perhaps thinking it's okay because they will be in a group or something.

I'm sorry, but I have a hard time comparing traffic tickets to someone raping my little defenseless child. Big difference, and not just because child molestation is a felony.

You mention monitoring sex offenders. How? And wouldn't some perceive that as a violation of their rights as well?

Heck, for all we know, they make it a fun night for the pedophiles. Maybe they show a movie (Jailhouse Rock, perhaps), pop some popcorn, do Karaoke.

 

[sha_lyn]

law and opinion are 2 different things. The law does not say they don't get a second chance, get locked up forever etc. Once they serve their time, and are abiding by their probation etc, it is, IMHO a violation of their rights to lock them up without cause.
Like I said before, I understand the emotion behind it. However I think to lock them up on halloween wihtout cause, is dangerous teritory for everyones basic rights.

 

[dis ms.]

law and opinion are 2 different things. The law does not say they don't get a second chance, get locked up forever etc. Once they serve their time, and are abiding by their probation etc, it is, IMHO a violation of their rights to lock them up without cause.
Like I said before, I understand the emotion behind it. However I think to lock them up on halloween wihtout cause, is dangerous teritory for everyones basic rights.

I hear you, and I'm really not saying that you're wrong. But, like I said, I can't bring myself to feel sorry for someone who preys (or has preyed) on children. Just can't do it. When I'm out with my children on Halloween, I won't give a second thought as to whether law enforcement in Texas is trampling on the rights of some perverts.

Is that wrong of me? Maybe. Do I care? Nope.

 

[disneymom3]

but where does it end. Get a traffic ticket, never drive again? We must tread lightly when it come to basic rights violations. Monitor them yes, lock them up with out cause, no.

Like I said before, what ever happened to the parents actually watching their kids while TorTing?

On the one hand, I agree with you because if they are in compliance with their parole, it does technically violate their rights. But then, I am of the mindset, once a perv always a perv and they never should have been let out in the first place. I think--and I am pretty sure about this--that the reoffend rate for child molesters is way higher than for people running a red light. So, yeah, hurt a child, never get out and have the chance to do it again.

 

[PixieDust32]

Here in Texas, one county is requiring all its registered sex offenders (w/incidents involving children) to report to the jailhouse at 6pm on Halloween night, and remain til 10pm.

Other counties will be performing spot checks at the homes of registered offenders, to ensure that they do not have Halloween decorations or porch lights on.

All in an effort to keep kids safe on a night when they will be out in hordes.

I think this is a great idea - but to my complete shock, some folks here have argued that this is an unreasonable restriction. And not the molesters or their family members or lawyers either. Everyday citizens with no personal stake in the issue.

I am usually able to separate my emotional responses from issue of constitutionality or personal freedoms - but when it comes to child molesters, I just can't do it.

I think is great! Child molesters shouldn't be free at all!

 

[aprilgail2]

I like the idea just fine!! I personally think they should be locked away forever.....it is something that they never stop and given the chance they will do it again! We had one move in the area recently and people did not stand for it, he was harrassed so much that he moved after a few months!

 

[crazydingoman]

stupid things deserve to be harassed!

 

[dcentity2000]

This sounds like a sad necessity.



Rich::

 

[va32h]

While I agree that parents should watch their children while trick or treating - if they don't - it's the children who suffer. I'd have a hard time telling an assaulted child "well your parents shouldn't have let you go out alone".

Which is what that argument boils down to. I see no point in punishing a child for his parents' mistake,

My understanding is that offenders who don't show up at the jail will be visited by the police, and I beleive (though am not certain) that the technical justification is that one of the terms of parole for child-related sex offenses is that the offender not seek out the company of children. So by keeping them from opening their doors to trick or treaters, the police are merely enforcing the conditions of parole.