Where do we draw the line between public safety and over-criminalization?
In North Carolina, a man was arrested after authorities alleged he was “present” near a Sonic and a Burger King in Goldsboro — both locations reportedly considered prohibited under NCGS 14-208.18 because they have children’s play areas.
According to the arrest report, officers alleged McMillan was within 300 feet of these locations. There are no allegations that he approached children, spoke to minors, acted inappropriately, or committed any sexual misconduct.
The alleged violation? Simply being near the premises.
At some point, people have to ask whether laws like this are actually making communities safer or just creating endless technical traps that make ordinary life impossible.
In this economy, fast food is one of the few affordable options available to many people – especially registrants. If your local Sonic or Burger King are being treated as forbidden zones because they happen to contain a play area on the property, then what’s next? Grocery stores with arcade machines? Shopping centers with a kiddie ride? Gas stations with claw machines?
There is a major difference between predatory behavior and buying a hamburger.
If someone is stalking children, attempting contact, or engaging in sexual conduct, arrest them all day long. But criminalizing everyday activities with no allegation of misconduct turns the registry into a system of perpetual exclusion rather than targeted public safety.
These kinds of cases fuel growing concerns that presence restrictions are becoming so broad that registrants can unavoidably violate them simply by trying to live normal lives. I’m sorry, but Olive Garden is simply unaffordable for many of us!
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Did you notice who the victim is on the criminal affidavit? Not a child. The State of North Carolina. Geesh!
But for our (and others) calls, emails, letters, and FAC, this was going to be Florida! Fortunately, the Senate leader – sponsor of SB212- saw the wisdom and humanity (and maybe vote losses) and the bill was modified.
I just got off 2 months ago GPS ankle Community Control i was not allowed anywhere but to probation, gas station, and groceries all on time and it had to be approved week prior to me going. Very strick
Been there dude it sucks lol
While on supervised release I was forbidden from going to movie theaters because of arcade games that were there. I brought this up to my PO at the time who in a very iron fisted way put the ball back in my court after answering their question, ” So why are we asking this we question?”
Took everything in me not to lunge across the desk and smack them as hard as I could.
Yea I think that is dumb and shouldn’t be legal. They want to say it’s not Punishment, yet it looks like punishment to me.
So, you are telling me some people are not even allowed near places like that, even if it is the only place to eat? How much MORE punishment can they dream up. Good Lord in Heaven, make it stop. I mean if this guy did something at that place and was banned, I could understand, but COME on!
I am losing faith in humanity.