What’s left for us? Barriers to employment are everywhere.
In Keansburg, New Jersey, local officials and residents erupted in outrage after learning that three men on the sex offender registry were working at the Beach Gallery, a local restaurant and bar. The reaction was swift — calls for them to be removed and for the bar to be punished for employing them – and last week the restaurant shut down.
This situation highlights an ongoing and troubling reality. Registrants are told they need to get jobs, reintegrate, and contribute to society — but when they actually do, they are shamed and driven out. In this case, the men were working at a bar, not a school or a daycare. Still, the mere fact of their registry status was enough to spark backlash and public pressure.
It begs the question: how are registrants supposed to succeed when even ordinary employment is treated as unacceptable? Denying people the chance to work doesn’t make communities safer. In fact, it does the opposite, pushing individuals into instability and joblessness, which are well-documented risk factors for re-offense.
If someone can’t even pour drinks or wash dishes without becoming the target of public outrage, what jobs are left for them at all?
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I worked at a place for 12 years and the manager knew my status when he hired me. One day a group of around 30 people came in the business and hung Offender flyers about me all over the store. The manager apologized but said they had to let me go after that because they did not need another incident, even though I did not cause it.
I never worked again after that.
Well I got news to tell you all. I started my own bussiness right after probation. I have a Contruction, painting , and Handyman bussiness. It’s been really awsome. I have not had a single problem with anyone. Just don’t name tge bussiness after your name. I got bussiness cards made. I didn’t put my name on the bussiness cards. I don’t put my name highly out there. I want my bussiness to look like a real bussiness. I do get helpers once an awhile for big jobs. But most of the time it’s my aline. I’m bussiness representing my Heavenly Father. God. I just the love of God to my clients and take pride in my work. I got great reviews.
I am happy for you! Thank God things are working out for you! When I started out on the registry it started out hard. One day I went to one of my jobs and someone posted my face in everything on the board. I could not tell you how I felt after that. The owner ask me to leave. Once one person knows anything about you it is all over with. I pray that it does not happen to you. Keep the faith!
Very interesting follow up article this source posted about those (mostly educators) who have been busted for sex crimes from 2024 and into 2025. Only adds to the position of trust argument and the need to dismiss the registry overall.