Member Submission: What would you do?
I could really use some advice. I’ve been living in a high-crime, high-poverty neighborhood ever since I started registering, more than 20 years ago. Since my house is surrounded within a mile radius by a very large number of people required to register, I’ve expected to remain at peace regarding protesters. However, today, a little black boy, probably about 10 years old, surrounded by other younger children, knocked on my door. I didn’t answer until after a second knock and a few moments later. By then, the kid had made his way back out to my front yard. When I acknowledged him, he said to me “do you wanna suck my dick?”. I asked him what he said (I really couldn’t tell), and he repeated the question. This kid looks like a real bad boy, too. I went to get my camera so I could get a short video of him and to see whether he would repeat his question to me so that I could record. While I did, I heard something hit my car. When I got outside with my camera, he had already walked off of my property to the side of my house. I sat down on my porch, freaking out, in case he returned, since I didn’t want to escalate things. He didn’t return. Now, I’m debating whether to file a report with the police. If I don’t, I may regret it later, should the kid or someone else accuse me of anything illegal. If I do, I may attract unwanted police attention and may even look suspicious, like I’m trying to cover something up. I also expect that his parents, or even he, would retaliate, should law enforcement contact his household. I still don’t have any picture or video of him. This could be something that’s just a fluke and will not happen again. However, if I was targeted because he’s aware that I’m on the registry, I’m scared. While I’m not too worried about actually being successfully prosecuted for any crime, I am very nervous about possibly getting arrested or my house being vandalized, should the kid or his friends/parents target me as a registrant. I’m only one of the few white men in my neighborhood, and for some of my neighbors, that’s enough to dislike me. I think one of the other early-teen boys down the road may have ID’d me as a registrant several months ago, using his cell phone as he passed by my house. The kids in my hood can be generally aggressive, nasty and destructive. Any advice on what to do would really help me, thanks. It’s great to have a place like FAC to turn to when I’m scared like this.
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I’m RayO, living in Floriduh as a Person Required to Register. I’m overwhelmed and comforted by the large number of responses to this/my issue with the neighborhood kids. FAC, more than any other group of people, reminds me that I’m not alone in this BS. Your helpful responses to my predicament made me smile for the first time in a while. So, thanks VERY much to all posters and FAC staff! This last Monday, just after 8pm, a couple of hours after the boy asked his obscene question to me, a group of kids threw something at the side of my house (maybe trying to hit my car on the carport, but no apparent damage done). So, sadly, I guess the knowledge of my registration has spread to that group of kids, at least. Since that time, nearly two whole days ago (not Lauren Book days), things have been quiet. I will set up cameras at my house before the weekend. I recorded a non-emergency, detailed statement to the sheriff’s office over the phone, also making them aware of my status as a PRR. According to the phone operator, that report will be considered inactive by law enforcement until I call back and file a new report directly with a deputy. I wanted something on record now, but want to see if the problem goes away on its own without an officer showing up and possibly insisting on roaming the neighborhood looking for the perps involved. I don’t know anything about the obscene kid or where he lives. I don’t want to care for a dog and don’t want it bothered by the kids, who routinely provoke the dogs that live next door. I may move eventually, but I also agree with CherokeeJack regarding the points he’s made. Also, my sister lives nearby, and sometimes needs my help. I’ll try to follow up with another message, should I learn anything that may be beneficial to the group, within the next couple of weeks. Isn’t it painfully ironic that the precious youth who are to be protected from me by the registry are actually the violent predators themselves? I’ll bet none of their parents are aware of my registration unless their kids told them. Thanks, again, big time!
And thank you for being a part of the FAC family.
We’ve been watching the comments, allowing people to share thoughts. The cameras are a MUST. If anything they will provide the exculpatory evidence you will need should anyone make a false accusation. The moving idea is a bit much. You shouldn’t have to move from your home.
FAC
Can I get an Amen !
Ray-O
Glad myself and others were able to pull together and share some constructive advice. (Had to laugh at your “not Lauren Book days”) I about fell out of my chair on that one.
I do disagree with you on the parents not knowing. Most kids I do not think could care less about the registry unless their parents tell them to “Stay away from that guy’s house”. Also, I was not really having anymore issues until the NEXTDOOR app came out(We are not allowed to join). It proactively informs people in the area about sex offenders who live close to them. I am betting that is what caused it. That is when I had my two incidents, right after they did a mass mailing to sign up for Nextdoor.
I hate the Nextdoor group. They go out of the way to out anyone with any criminal record, not just registered citizens. I have heard nothing good about them, and that is even from non-registered citizens.
They are pushing hard to get everyone in my neighborhood to sign up and our neighborhood has adopted their service. I haven’t had any problems as a result, but eventually, I’m sure they will find me and out me to the entire neighborhood.
I feel for you, first thing I would do is get a Ring doorbell, the second thing I would do is get a yard Ring, that has lights,voice and a emergency siren…
Nothing beats video, we have a ring doorbell, any one approaches it starts recording voice and live feed, any threats or damage can be sent to police by your smart cell phone, showing that you had nothing to do with any issues outside.
you can talk to someone at your door from anywhere and its all recorded, so any intention of haveing you arrested because they said you said something to them would be false….
I used to be the same way here, until we bought the Ring, now i know whos by our door, within 40 feet…and can talk to them and never have to open the door…
Be Safe and Take Care !