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Opinion
Tracking
sex offenders is not effective enough
July
27, 2005
The
intent is good. Practical application, however, is far less
than it should be. And that, obviously, has put a lot of
children at risk. That is, of course, a reference to the
status of sex offenders and the law.
Convicted sex
offenders in South Carolina are required under the state’s
sex-offender registry law to report to the sheriff’s office in
the county where they reside once a year. Experience shows,
however, that the law hasn’t been able to stop some sex
offenders from abusing children again ….. even to the point of
murder.
There have been several high-profile cases in
recent times – Florida and Utah, for example – where children
have been kidnapped, abused and then killed. In one case, a
sex offender has been charged in the deaths of a several
people, including a child, and the kidnapping and abuse of a
little girl from the same family.
THE MAN WAS
SENTENCED to wear a tracking device around his ankle.
However, that device was found in a ditch after it was
discarded by the man later charged in the case.
In South
Carolina, in one county alone, it’s reported that 35 sex
offenders are missing. Eight of them have been convicted of
crimes against children. Two of those missing escaped once
before. Greenville County, however, is not alone. Others,
including Greenwood, are not immune to similar
problems.
Under the circumstances, it’s obvious that
something must be done to allay the fears of parents, not to
mention society as a whole. When convicted sex criminals are
on the loose and unaccounted for, how could parents not worry
about the safety of their children?
HOW COULD
COMMUNITIES not be concerned that there may be, and
often is, a terrible problem in their midst?
There appears
to be a viable system in place that addresses the continuing
problem of tracking sex offenders. It also appears it needs a
lot of fine-tuning to make sure it does what is intended. It’s
more than obvious that it’s not working to satisfaction in the
Palmetto State.
It’s even more obvious that nationally it’s
a disaster.
There are many problems facing us all these
days, to be sure. Sex offenders preying on children, though,
has to be one of the most reprehensible. Do whatever it takes
to protect children. It’s up to all of us. They cannot do it
for themselves.
Editorial expression in this feature represents
our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.
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