Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Child Safety Zones...

Saw this on the news this morning. Apparently, a six year old boy was molested by a known sex offender at a public library in southeastern MA. In response, the city councilors have proposed "Child Safety Zones" in the town:
Fall River City Councilor Cathy Ann Viveiros is proposing that the city adopt laws restricting access of level-three sex offenders from places children frequent. The "child safety zones" would prohibit sex offenders from places like playgrounds, schools, athletic fields and libraries, where children are likely to be. There are currently no restrictions on places a sex offender can visit in Fall River.


First off, I'm pretty sure this is incorrect, as there seem to be plenty of restrictions at the state and federal level.


Secondly, they can call it anything they want, but unless and until we as a society get serious about providing incarceration and treatment, in that order, for these most serious of offenders, there is NO such thing as a "safe" zone when it comes to your kids and sexual predators. For some of us, "safe" means keeping a sharp eye on your kids no matter where they are and being prepared to take any measure necessary to keep them safe from predators. I'll not rehash the debate over .45 ACP vs. 9mm at this time, but I think y'all know where I stand...


When we sentence people to two-and-a-half years for murder, it sends a message that we're not really that g-ddamned serious about crime. Hell, the dirtbag in the original story is a Class III sex offender (highest level, most likely to re-offend), and was out on the street at age 26 - given that 18 is the youngest he could have possibly been charged, that means he served a MAXIMUM of 8 years for a crime so severe that it would give him a level 3 label.

The first thing we need to do is keep these people off the fucking street. Plain and simple. Next is to have some sort of truth in sentencing, whereby we at least slow down the revolving door that is the current state of our "justice" system. And lastly, but not least important, we need to find out why they do it, how we can stop them, and how we can make it so that when they do serve their time, they're no longer a danger to others.

And barring that, keep a sharp eye on your kids out there, folks.

13 comments:

Rustmeister said...

Someone that far gone can't be fixed.

Caliber isn't that important at close range.

RW said...

When we sentence people to two-and-a-half years for murder, it sends a message that we're not really that g-ddamned serious about crime.

Well, it's not like they were Michael Vick & killing dogs!

Seriously, the value of human life has become almost a secondary notion.

BobG said...

And of course the "child safety zones" will solve the problem of child molesters, just like the "gun free zones" has stopped mass murderers.

breda said...

jayG, as a librarian I have very strong feelings about this issue. Every single day, I watch parents lose track of their toddlers and I see parents drop children as young as 8 off to spend day alone in the library. I know of one registered sex offender that visits our library, but who knows how many others there may be? We also have a homeless man who looks at porn all day on the computer and then spends long intervals in the restroom.

The library is not a safe place, it is as public and as open as the street corner! Parents need to understand that as much as librarians would like to, we cannot watch every unattended child. We are not babysitters. Keeping your child safe is your job.

Bruce said...

If only they had posted a "No Child Rape Allowed!" sign at the entrance to the library, this whole tragic incident could have been avoided.

The preceding message was brought to you today by the same dimwitted, illogical train of thought that drives through the cavernous tunnel known as Fall River City Councilor Cathy Ann Viveiros' skull on an hourly basis.

Bruce said...

Seriously, though, these people are dumber than the slimy wads of goo that I fish out of old kitchen sink P-traps on a regular basis.

Though, not as dumb as any parent who would drop their kid off at the library and not have a care in the world, on account of the "Child Safety Zone" posted outside.

I need a scotch. My brain hurts just thinking about the amount of stupid that fits inside some people's heads.

Strings said...

Actually, a sign saying "BEWARE! PUBLIC FACILITY, OPEN TO PEDOPHILES" might catch the parent's attention.

Too many parents seem to think it's not their job to watch their kids.

I've read a bit on this case: there're a LOT of mistakes that happened. The biggest one is the judge that allowed the slime to be released...

Weer'd Beard said...

I just don't think many of these creatures CAN be fixed. But at least the creeps in the joint and all the learning meterial available to them, they can learn to show a convincing act of Remorce and reform so they can get out of Prison (there aren't any little kids in there for them!!)

Sorry what it takes for a grown adult to do somthing like that....they simply don't meet my definition of human. Don't hate them for doing it, don't get angry, and more than you should get angry at the termites that ate your back deck. Just exterminate them and keep a close eye that they don't come back.

MadRocketScientist said...

I gotta agree with Breda. My wife is a public librarian and has worked for libraries ranging in size from small town to major metropolitian, and at every single one she has seen parents drop off their kids at the library like it is a day care, while pedophiles prowl about.

The librarians are powerless to do anything unless patrons complain, and then all they can do is ask a person to leave and possibly ban them from the library for a while. The only time she has ever seen an effective safe zone was at one library that had the childrens section secured and only children and their parents were allowed in, but the whole area was enclosed in glass and the pedos would just sit and stare through the glass.

Jay G said...

A simple "Dad Amnesty" law would fix that most rikki-tik...

Strings said...

But Jay! That would mean violating the slime's human rights!
/sarcasm

Jay G said...

I'm more about violating their brain pans, personally...

Anonymous said...

I'd suggest castrating 'em.

At the neck.



Jim
Sloop New Dawn
Galveston, TX