Predators And Their Signs

“I can’t get away from it. It makes me feel ashamed. My life has been ruined by this.”

Okay, so it’s a paraphrase. The spirit of what was said comes through, though. This person felt like a victim. Like a grievous wrong had been committed against him, and he felt helpless, and hopeless, like his future had been blighted.

I say, too bad. I want you to be uncomfortable, to loose sleep, and to live as if you don’t feel safe. I want you to look over your shoulder ... to be accountable, to feel as if you are being punished ... every day, every moment.

By this point you’re probably wondering what I am referring to. I watched the 20/20 segment about registered sex offenders in Corpus Christi having to place signs in their yards, and in their vehicle windows, and bumper stickers on the back bumpers of their vehicles. These signs are doing a service ... everyone -- adults and children alike -- have the right to know when predators are in their midsts, in their neighborhoods.

The victims of these offenders didn’t have the choice of being sexually assaulted. The victims will --- for the rest of their lives -- carry the debris of what their offenders left them.

I know just how their victims must feel, and wish that they (the victims) could have been forewarned of their (the offenders) perversion. One offender said the sign brought him shame, and he couldn't get away from what he had done ... I have news for him ... his victim can't get away from it either.

Victims should have no internalization of shame. A definition of victim is one who is subjected to oppression, hardship, or mistreatment. The victims of these offenders have become the epitome of hardship and mistreatment. If the offenders are feeling shame or embarrassment, then that is how it should be.

It is not enough to convict these predators. Innocent, potential victims must have the ammunition to stay safe. If that means these predators are uncomfortable, that their security is jeopardized, and they don't sleep well, so be it.

It alarms me that after committing their attacks on children, predators are being protected by those who think their civil-rights have been violated. Doing jail or prison time for preying on innocent children is simply not enough. Yard signs and vehicle signs are an excellent source of further identification for those who would defile our children. The offenders should have no rights.

One of the predators said it was the sign and not the crime that made him feel too humiliated to go out. I say if he’s too humiliated to go out, then the sign is doing it’s job ... by way of keeping him in, children are being kept safe from him.

When danger is present, it is expected that warnings should also be present. For example, railroad crossings and trains, drinking and driving, drinking while pregnant, drugs, and, well, you get the idea. It is not inconceivable that innocents should be protected from that which strives to bring them harm.

It’s too bad that Corpus Christi appears to be the only city where sex offenders are required to have danger signs in their yards. Every town, every city, every county, every state should make protecting children from predators such a high priority that signs should begin popping up everywhere. Tell me who to write to. Tell me who to talk to. If it will help, I’ll campaign for it.