These scary times
A Fayetteville friend mentioned to me yesterday that a grandmotherly -- and thoroughly safe -- mutual friend was among those outraged that the Fayetteville public library had been conducting secret criminal background checks on volunteers. The Iconoclast works out on the topic today. Some have quit in outrage.
No public official has ever gone wrong, however, underestimating the terror lurking -- or ready to be stirred up -- in the heart of the populace. Thus, yesterday, LR announced with great fanfare a handy-dandy way to run a quick computer check of where sexual offenders live so their houses can be avoided on Halloween. And the last time a trick-or-treater -- presumably with a parent in tow -- was molested at Halloween in LR? I know. The minute you make light of something like this, the worst WILL happen. This check is usable statewide, by the way, and you may sign up for e-mail alerts whenever a registered sex offender moves into the neighborhood.
Comments
The new LRPD system is flawed. The state provides a better and more detailed system as to the level of the offender and the charges they were convicted/pled guilty to.
Seems more to me of a PR move than an actual attempt at public safety.
Go through the state website. Much better and more information.
Posted by: Littlecrock![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 30, 2007 10:05 AM
Huge kudos to those volunteers who resigned in protest! Silence equals complicity. I wonder if this criminal background check in secret is another consequence of the so called Patriot Act?
Speaking of libraries .. Eureka Springs Public Library will host a Gay Film Festival on the Fall Diversity Weekend.. Not my cup of tea but it warms my liberal heart to know there is something for everyone in our little progressive community.
Posted by: Eureka Springs, AR![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 30, 2007 11:22 AM
You know...things have turned pretty slow at my house the last couple of years. So this thread has given me a new idea. I wonder if I picked and chose carefully...if I could use the sex offender map to find a way for new no-strings sexual gratification? You gotta figure some of these sex fiends are up to about anything....specially if they've been avoided like the plague for a few years.
Who says sex with an ankle bracelet is no fun? Maybe with some you wouldn't even have to go IN their houses....you could just kinda stand at the front door for 12 minutes. Happy endings seem so much more difficult to find in the Cheney-Bush era, ya know.
Now don't get all huffy with me, looking down the road both directions is what made Warren Buffet so damn rich. A successful man looks thru both ends of the telescope and here is a whole segment of the population going under-utilized. Foods for thought! Thanks LR for making me think.
Posted by: Deathbyinches![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 30, 2007 12:24 PM
Yeah, sex offenders are out there and you need to protect your kiddies from them.
But I'd wager more young'uns are hurt or killed because they're riding down the road in bikes, trikes and plastic pedal things for toddlers. Explain to me why mom comes out and glares at hubby and me suspiciously when we wave after kiddie yells, "Them people's walking down the road!" but then lets pre-schoolers and a toddler ride up and down the road.
Jeez.
Posted by: Doigotta![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 30, 2007 09:46 PM