Living next door

Warning wipes out feeling of security
Letter to the Editor

September 15, 2006

''Notice of High-Risk Sex Offender!'' A postcard in the mail to warn me and my neighbors, I almost fainted. Am I right to be upset? A convict, guilty of indecency with child sexual contact, when the victim was two years old, now lives two blocks away from my own two-year-old.

My security is gone. I know the politically correct thing would be to ignore it, give the guy a chance, but politically correct is not reality. The majority of these men are repeat offenders. So am I to risk the safety of my child so he can have a second chance at not getting caught? He drives past my house every time he leaves his own. He can't help it.







What about my right to pursue happiness? I don't call happiness double checking the locks and making sure the toys are all in the back yard so maybe he won't notice I have a toddler. At what point in this country did it become acceptable to warn parents of such a danger, but to do nothing to protect the children of the community?

I am more than angry - I am frightened. My once-peaceful streets have become dark and ominous

Delia Lemons

Abilene


By Delia Lemons

Sex Offenders!! Get rid of them!

You can look up the owner of the property and write or call them and let them know they are (if) renting to an offender. You can also urge city council to increase the distance they can live from schools and parks. Sex offenders can also be required to post a sign in their front yard stating ''a registered sex offender lives here'' and put on bumper stickers. YOU can put on your property a sign stating the name and address of sex offenders in your area. AND, you can write/call the paper and ask why they don't print the sex offenders picture when they register like other cities. ALL this is legal.