An ESSENTIAL Item EVERY parent & concerned citizen should do

Recently at Nauvoo the topic of a sex offender registry came up. It is a depressing and dark topic. We might not be notified of those in our community who pose such a danger to us. But somehow, we need to do what we can to learn of the dangers lurking in our community, in order that we can safeguard our friends, neighbors, and fellow human beings.

So since we might not learn of this info easily, we need to search for it. Parents, concerned citizens, Check those registeries! I don't know how it works in other states and don't know if this type of registry exists in all states. Find out what the policy is in your state and if you have such a registry, check it. And if you don't, do all you can to get one established.

In Virginia, you can check by zip code, city, county or name:

CLICK HERE to SEARCH the VIRGINIA SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY

When I searched my current zip code, I found one registered person who lives in my neighborhood, just a couple streets away. Also I found out some offenders work at stores in shopping centers to which I go. While searching another local zip code, I found another devestaing mug shot, one in which a veteran is wearing his Korean War veteran hat- an honorable thing- while being in this mug shot on that list for whatever most dishonorable, vile and disgusting thing he did. This contrast within one photo is really something that makes me feel heartsick. It makes you realize you can't trust people and how careful we have to be to safeguard the children of this world and our community. I would link to that mug shot but apparently this could be construed as harassment of the offender.

So as to the offender in my neighborhood, I printed out 2 copies of the mug shot of this neighbor. (To clarify, this offender is not a member of our ward). Not to harm this neighbor, maybe he has fully repented. But to be on the safe side, I will share my findings with the families in our ward who live near this man, for their children- as are all children- too precious for me to not share this info. I hope the families don't think I am crazy. But as one of the sisters on Nauvoo said, she feels it would be her responsibility to share such findings.

Anyway, having gone into this dark world of sharing this necessary info, I am ready to turn to more cheerful topics.