Modern-Day Scarlet Letter

Leave the perverts alone

Jim Philips,  WESH.com, June 15, 2006

It's becoming the cause of the week, whether it's catching sexual predators on "Dateline" or putting up signs in the neighborhood to identify your local flasher. I'm starting to wonder what all the fascination is about?

It just happened again locally. A man was forced out of his home after neighbors found out that he exposed himself. They spent hundreds of dollars on signs with big red letters saying "WARNING: So-and-so is a registered sex offender!"

It's got the guy's picture, his address, the date of his violation, etcetera. Because of all the news attention, he lost his job and now he's lost his home. This is the modern-day version of the Scarlet Letter.

His immediate neighbors say he's been a good guy, maintaining his lawn better than most and minding his own business. But they're worried about the children and trick-or-treaters.

I'm sorr-rry. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Web site has created a monster, causing one subdivision after another to publicize the history of their neighbors. And now several cities have actually limited where these guys can move.

Last time I checked they hadn't completed Pervert Island, so where are they to go?

How about watching your children more closely? Keep your eyes open and leave the neon "PERVERT" signs at home.

The opinions expressed by Jim Philips are solely his own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the ownership or management of WESH.