 mcintyrej, Wed, May 21st, 2008 I don't know about you, but I think this Sex Offender stuff is really getting stupid. Last week we have new legislation that forces convicted and listed offenders to turn over their screen names and email addresses to authorities to reduce the risk to our children. Sounds great for a press release or a re-election slogan. "I stopped the offenders from reaching your children and you should vote for me." Ask Ed Kosiur how that worked out. The wanted-to-be-assemblyman sponsored another bit of useless legislation in Schenectady County which was to limit Sex Offenders from living within 2000 feet of where children frequent (schools, parks, etc.) The problem was that you can't live in many places in Schenectady County outside that scope. The fact that it was not consitutional may have also played a role in its demise. All of the suburban towns knew that the legislation would force Sex Offenders into their communities. Needless to say, he didn't make it to the Assembly. Let's look at the new state law regarding offenders. This has problems for a few reasons: 1. Anyone can have and get a screen name. You only need an email address. 2. Anyone can get an email address. You only have to use Yahoo, Gmail or AOL. They are all free and don't require any special controls. 3. You can lie when you set one of these up. DUH. The people this law is supposed to stop are criminals who were convicted of mostly felonies. Do they think that a new law will stop them from making new, fake screen names? 4. Many of these offenders can't of won't stop at anything to commit sex crimes. The law doesn't say that offenders can't use the networking sites, just that they have to turn in their current screen name. It may violate the offenders' rights to ban use of the internet so it is just about the alias. 5. How are we going to enforce this. Well, the real answer is... ...WE CAN'T. The police agencies are struggling to deal with the Sex Offender Registration process already. Which agency notifies schools or residents? Half the time the community isn't notified as it is. This is especially true in rural areas where you have more than one agency for police protection. Now we are going to expect our officers to check screen names and emails, too. 6. The only time these offenders will get caught is when something happens to a victim. 7. Most people, including the lawmakers, know that this will not stop Sex Offenders. So what is my answer to this problem? (I always try to give one.) There are only two sure-fire ways to ensure that Sex Offenders do not get to our children. Since the death penalty is now illegal in New York, there is only one legal way to deal with this issue. KEEP THEM IN JAIL. If a any feel-good lawmaker would like to do something to stop this, here is how he or she should do it. 1. Make laws that do not release violent sex preditors back in society or extend prison time until they are unable to function as preditors. 2. Support Judges sentence these animals to the fullest extent of the law. 3. No Parole. I know this is very harsh, but if we want a society that is safe from preditors, then we must take away rights from those who exploit the most vonerable of us. The next time a campaign flyer comes around to your door that says "I stopped Sex Offenders" you need to jump into action. Call the saps who published the piece and ask them what is more important, getting elected or stopping Sex Offenders. Their actions speak louder than their words. CATEGORY: Government
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