08/31/2012
School is the last place would expect your child to encounter a sexual predator, but there are cases where they can gain access to your child's school.
This school may be tobacco free, but it's not necessarily sex offender free.
"It's not uncommon that we have a parent who's a sexual predator who wants to come to school and meet with a child's teacher and have lunch with their child. We do not keep them out of school. They're allowed to come to the school. Again they're supervised," said Dr. Doug Whittaker, Charlotte County Superintendent.
Supervised or not, parents don't like the policy.
"I don't think as a sexual predator or if you have been convicted of a felony of any sort you should be allowed in the school at all," said parent Becky Jones.
State law says anyone convicted of a sex crime is prohibited from being on school property unless they warn the school district ahead of time that they plan to show up.
Our investigation revealed each district enforces the law differently.
In Lee County, the district allows parents who are sex offenders to be in the schools, under strict supervision, but spouses of teachers aren't allowed.
Collier County says a known sexual predator can visit the school, but they're escorted on and off campus under tight supervision.
In Charlotte County a parent or spouse can visit under strict guidelines.
"Whoever comes into the school is met at the front desk. They give us their driver's license. It generates a report. If there is anything in that personal background, whether it's a sexual offense or a sexual predator then that person is chaperoned for the duration of the time they're in the school for the business they have," said Whittaker.
Jones says that's not enough.
"I don't think as a sexual predator or if you have been convicted of a felony of any sort you should be allowed in the school at all," said Jones.
There are parents who are ok with the policy, because the visits are supervised.
In fact they believe their children are more at risk on a playground.
"This could happen anywhere at a playground. You can't always keep an eye on your child at every single time," said parent Chrystal Colon.
Why are we allowing ignorant hatemongers like Ms. Jones to control the agenda and make all the decisions? I can just imagine what a fine upstanding citizen her child will grow into after coming from such an understanding background! People like her cannot be reasoned with, which is why we need to stand up and say "enough."
ReplyDeleteThe the sensational and inflammatory rhetoric of the video is exactly what destroys peoples lives for no reason. The article itself is not too bad, so why did it have to be led in so luridly? Some people seem to think that RSOs think or do nothing except try to think of ways to gain access to more victims!
ReplyDelete