Comments on: Sex offender who visited Decatur school (his daughter’s) sentenced to 24 months’ probation

By: Gerald

Gerald — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 19:43:32 +0000

In reply to Roger Mansfield. Yes, Roger, but I'm sure it's just because folks are so frustrated by the whole situation. Like you, I believe we need to consider all the facets of each post. For example, people get overly optimistic about Sixth Circuit Court decisions that are favorable towards registered offenders, when the reality is that other more conservative Circuits don't care what the Sixth did. In fact, they go out of their way to rule just the opposite in their Court. The politics of the various court systems is very frustrating. I always try to avoid arguing with those who criticize me though, because it is not productive. In fact, I was the first to comment on this post, but my comment didn't get posted at all.

By: Roger Mansfield

Roger Mansfield — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 19:41:47 +0000

In reply to Gerald. Gerald, you’re absolutely right about the press and society almost as a whole. We must almost self police each other. We lose so much ground when an SO does reoffend that we can’t afford to do anything absent minded or stupid. The best support we have besides our families is each other. We all have to use common sense and hold each other accountable. There can be a headline that reads “sex offender jaywalks in downtown Orlando“ and all of a sudden my some of my neighbors are watching my house closely again.

By: Gerald

Gerald — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 19:14:56 +0000

In reply to Roger Mansfield. I agree with Roger completely. In a situation like that, you need to get the permission signed and in writing. The press loves to jump on stories showing sex offenders screwing up.

By: Roger Mansfield

Roger Mansfield — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 17:05:41 +0000

In reply to Gerald.

Gerald, I have to sheepishly admit that I didn’t read through your comment thoroughly…… I could have replied a strong “I AGREE “ to your post. I’m wondering if you face the same issues of being criticized and told that “You just don’t understand the reality of everyone’s problems”….. and to pull my head out of the clouds.

By: Roger Mansfield

Roger Mansfield — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 14:10:47 +0000

I know that I’m going to be the villain in this but as much as we all want to talk about the hardships in registering and reporting and verifying etc. we need to make sure we follow the rules and procedures to the letter. Mr. Mattingly says he thought he had permission through a relative that worked at the school…… I truly believe him but the bottom line is that he should have personally verified that.
As RSO’s we all deal with a myriad of local and state ordinances and laws most of which make absolutely no sense. We all live under the magnifying glass of public paranoia. I fight an ordinance here in Brevard County that stops me from going to my children’s homes….. as much as it hurts I don’t go because I don’t want to give any nosey neighbors the ammunition to come after me or worse, my children. As RSO’s we MUST arm ourselves with knowledge and understanding. The public, and some law enforcement personnel, choose to operate on the emotional hype side but we cannot do that. Our actions and our arguments HAVE TO BE factual and carefully planned. “They” make the rules but it’s up to us to follow them. Nothing aggravates “them” more than us following their ordinances and laws and still functioning. If we follow the rules we take away some of their “see, I told you that they’re a public danger and can’t be trusted” argument.
My heart truly hurts for Mr. Mattingly but the bottom line is that he should have personally taken responsibility for making sure that he had all of his permissions secured before going to the school.

By: Gerald

Gerald — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 13:59:37 +0000

I agree that the law is crap. It accomplishes nothing except to cause grief to the offender’s family. I have never read about an incidence where a registered sex offender went into a school and assaulted a child. However, this guy knew the basic rule that schools are off limits. He chose to ignore the law. Luckily for him he only received a slap on the wrist. But his illegal action just gives the haters and politicians extra ammunition for their claims that convicted sex offenders can’t be trusted. It was stupid and irresponsible, and only hurts our cause. Protest the law, crusade against it, but don’t violate it.

By: JEV

JEV — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 11:39:52 +0000

In reply to Florida Action Committee. NARSOL is reporting NC denial of SOs in shelters. Telling them to check into local jail. Check SC and NC laws. for the record most JAILS can withstand a Cat 4 Hurricane plus power will be on vending machines hot food bathrooms and showers and local TV and phones. You are not put into a cel you stay in the waiting area and they have cots and blankets. Whatever you bring will be searched. You can only leave when all clear is given and cops hold your ID. It sounds much worse than it is. I plan a article about this in NARSOL Digest. JEV True Confessions

By: JEV

JEV — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 11:29:47 +0000

What exactly is a child sex offender? You mean his crime involved a child? on the record How about non convicted offenders or adult sex offenders or sex offender parent… home schooling here we go

By: Capt Charles Munsey Jr. USN (Ret)

Capt Charles Munsey Jr. USN (Ret) — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 00:58:35 +0000

In reply to us army vet ken. These laws are a disservice to our children and the law makers should be ashamed of themselves. Their laws, restrictions, and ordinances serve no positive purposes and only show them up to be the uneducated fools that they are.

By: us army vet ken

us army vet ken — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 23:07:15 +0000

this is just bs. I did not go to my grand daughter graduation.
even off probation. my wife taped the video to watch.
I was sad heart broken that this was only way to watch.
maybe some day will come and we can stand tall.
I could have went but this was her day. I did not want to be the spotlight.
only want the best for my family.