Reason: Publishing Registered Sex Offenders’ Home Addresses Before Halloween Is Gratuitous, Unethical, and Reckless

Every year in the run-up to Halloween, Patch publishes maps showing the homes of “registered sex offenders” in various cities. Ostensibly, this information is aimed at helping parents who worry that their children might be molested while trick-or-treating. But research shows that such fears have no basis in reality, and these stories—like the warning signs and restrictions imposed by local police prior to Halloween—mainly serve to stigmatize people who have already completed their sentences, along with their spouses and children, who have committed no crimes at all. That stigma invites harassment, vandalism, and violence. Like much local journalism, the practice of publishing these maps is ill-informed sensationalism masquerading as a public service.

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41 thoughts on “Reason: Publishing Registered Sex Offenders’ Home Addresses Before Halloween Is Gratuitous, Unethical, and Reckless

  • October 12, 2020

    Tuesday is the last full day to make a comment at the DOJ regarding sorna changes….if you have not made your comment, do so! There are so many people working on our behalf the least we can do is take 5 minutes to comment to show our support to those who have worked so hard on our behalf!! Do it. Numbers count! Do it. Now.

    Reply
  • October 12, 2020

    Ostensibly, this information is aimed at helping parents who worry that their children might be molested while trick-or-treating

    Ask Patch if parents were worried about this nonsense BEFORE there was ever a sex offender registry. See what they say… if anything at all.

    Reply
    • October 14, 2020

      Ostensibly, this information is aimed at helping parents who worry that their children might be molested while trick-or-treating

      And how many parents are really worried about that? If they seriously were, why would they take their kids trick-or-treating?

      Reply
  • October 12, 2020

    I am glad they are doing this because it kept me from sitting on my front porch in the nude with the candy between my legs. (YES Sarcasm)
    I do not even participate in Halloween even though I have no restrictions saying I can’t. I turn off the lights and don’t answer the door.

    Reply
  • October 12, 2020

    It is fear mongering for profit. Plain and simple

    Reply
  • October 12, 2020

    I welcome the opportunity for anyone who wants to harass me. It will be the last time they harass anyone. I do not condone such BS. Besides I get along fine in my neighborhood and have no problems.

    Reply
  • October 12, 2020

    So what is the plan of action against these post? Can the listing organization be sued under insighting harm?

    Reply
    • October 12, 2020

      Robert
      Seems it is public information so we rarely have a leg to stand on. I mean Nextdoor gets away with saying down right untrue things about us (One of my neighbors tells me what they are saying about me on there)

      Reply

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