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Northwest Living: Web sites serve as tool to know sex offenders’ status
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Anonymous user Wed Nov 30, -0001 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments There are 42 in the 93312 area code; 93314 has 9 — and those are just the criminals who have registered.
I’m talking about sex offenders, and I pulled those numbers off of the Megan’s Law Web site.
A lot of us have looked at the Web site from time to time out of curiosity, but do you remember the faces?
From now, until I find out he has moved, there is one in particular whose face is ingrained in my memory.
The reason is because he lives just houses away from my step-daughter and a number of other women and children.
When my step-daughter’s mom called to let us know that an anonymous flier — revealing the name, address and photograph of a registered sex offender — had been left at the door of her home, which I’d like to add that she shares with her BIG, STRONG husband, I literally felt my body clench.
“What can we do?” Tammie asked — the same question that was running through my head.
Dean and I brought it up on our morning show and one listener suggested we call the Probation Department and make up an offense just to get the guy thrown back in jail.
The listener said she had done this to a sex offender who was a member of her family.
“At least he’ll be locked up for a little while and not back in the neighborhood,” she suggested.
Although it sounded like a quick fix, it was a lie and something that would never cross my mind. It is a misdemeanor to harass a sex offender, if they aren’t in the act of doing anything wrong.
I felt powerless, knowing that there was nothing that could be done, except become hyper-aware.
I am hoping to help you as well by telling you about a new Web site that is more comprehensive than the Megan’s Law site.
Familywatchdog.us not only gives you the same information that Megan’s Law does, but it also goes a few steps further.
This Web site shows you if there is an offender working near you, or living near a playground your child may use.
There is a color key on one side of the site that shows you whether the sex offender is a child molester or a rapist.
While Familywatchdog.us has only been around for seven months, it is getting a lot of publicity. America’s Most Wanted host, John Walsh personally works with, and endorses, the site.
I encourage you to check it out for yourself, save it in your favorites file and try and remember the faces of offenders who live and work around you.
I won’t bore you with statistics about how many times released sex offenders strike again, but I will say it happens more often than not.
Again, you shouldn’t harass an offender, if you find out he lives near you, but as a member of the community, you can help prevent another crime taking place by simply being more aware.
Email Rachel at rlegan@liveradio.com.

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