If you found out that a sex offender had moved in next door to you, would you move?

Question

This hasn't happened to me that I know of, but was just wondering what people think.

Answer 1

I would pass out flyers and place large signs everywhere warning the public,,,and I will make a big scene,,,freedom of expression.........and protection of children ,,,,,,

Answer 2

I wouldn't worry too much about it, just talk to your kids and put them out of harm's way. It is possible this person has changed since then....despite what politicians tell you, many of them do. If you go posting posters around, it's possible you can break the law yourself, or if he IS a REAL risk, you could be putting yourself and children in harm's way. Truth is, sex offenders are everywhere, the ones who get caught and do thier time are actually less of a risk than someone who hasn't. For all you know, you could have been living next to sex offenders for years, ones that have no been caught, never had to register and never been through treatment, these are the most dangerious ones...and if you move, you might just move right next door to this this type. The police wont be able to help you much, and if you insight a riot, your likely to get yourself in serious trouble. I'd play it out, be safe and see what happens...ANYBODY can be a sex offender, i'm more concerned about those NOT on the list, than I am those who are.

Answer 3

This is a good question. I'm assuming you are talking about a "registered sex offender" that has priviously been caught. No, I wouldn't because the problem is that there are offenders EVERYWHERE. Many have never been caught nor has their crime even been reported. It is impossible to move away from them. The best thing to do, as bad as it sounds, it to treat everyone as a potential offender. I regularly go over "stranger" danger tactics and tell my children to always trust their instincts. If someone ever makes them feel uncomfortable even if they didn't say or do anything, my children are to leave the area and stay away from that person. This information is for ANYBODY they come in contact with, friends, family or family of a friends and yes even strangers. ANYBODY.

Answer 4

A few facts. Sex offenders are usually allowed to move into any neighborhood they want. The exceptions may be proximity to a school or other facility that caters to children. Usually the other residents of the neighborhood are informed of the sex offender's move (this does depend on the type of offense he or she committed however). You may protest but there are limitations as to how far you can go without getting into trouble yourself.
I have 4 children and have educated them concerning safety in this matter. However, I would feel uncomfortable living in a neighborhood with a sex offender due to the uncertainty. The additional stress of protests might cause more violent behavior as well. So, yes I would move.

Answer 5

At least, if everyone knows what "it" looks like, they can avoid "it" and protect themselves and warn their children to also stay far away; whereas there are hundreds around who look like the most natural and "normal" neighbors who are serial killers and mass murderous and you could never tell until it has been proving by the courts years later, as no one would even believe that such a quiet neighbor could ever be responsible for such an act... What is worst than having an abuser in the neighborhood is knowing that this abuser has worked his way through a woman's heart; a woman with children, who is blinded by what she thinks is love and is putting her children at risk of being not only abused but robbed of their entire childhood and nothing anyone can do or say, can persuade that woman that this man can be dangerous or ever was as she will believe any lie he feeds her in the name of "love". That is the saddest thing I have ever seen... Especially when no one has the legal weapon to do squat about it! as the children themselves are too scared to talk about any form of abuse until they are all grown up and then some.

Answer 6

IF it involved children, he wouldn't be next to door to me since I have a child and they have laws. That's the only type of sex offense I would be really worried about. My husband and I could protect ourselves, but our children couldn't protect themselves if we weren't around. So, no I wouldn't move. People don't realize that people can change and if they served their time, forcing them out isn't fair. They can't keep paying for a crime they've already served time for just because people are uncomfortable.

Answer 7

To be honest with you I'm not sure what I would do if faced with that. I would like to think that I would do my best to find out the circumstances of the actual crime. I might also try to find out ( shudder even talk to the person) and find out if they have changed their life in ways that would prevent doing something like that again. God forgives, shouldn't I be able too.... that's what I hope I would do, but who really knows.

Many years ago in my misspent youth (college) some friends and I were drunk ( no excuse) and were caught by the campus police urinating in the fountain at the student union...dumb and wrong. They threatened us with "indecent exposure", long story short nothing came of it (litter patrol and cleaning the fountain)...but in our current societies fear of all things I might have been hung with that "sex crimes" tag.

Answer 8

If I had children, yes I would move. Then again, they are everywhere, in every neighborhood. I guess I'd go on line and look up where they live and try to find a place as far away from them as I could get. It makes me want to move way out in the country to get away from all the sickos.

Answer 9

I have twolittle girls so that is something that I would really have to think about. According to the law that person can not live there. I would contact the law enforcement in that area and see what they say. If they can not make that person move then yes I would for my childrens sake.

Answer 10

I wont move , I will stay a far a way from him and don't say hi or nothing to him , but now and these days nobody don't know who is living be side etc.