Comments on: How did accused molester pass Wal-Mart background check? http://hburgnews.com/2008/07/27/how-did-accused-molester-pass-wal-mart-background-check/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-did-accused-molester-pass-wal-mart-background-check Harrisonburg's Community News Network Sat, 03 Dec 2011 18:10:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: rv http://hburgnews.com/2008/07/27/how-did-accused-molester-pass-wal-mart-background-check/comment-page-1/#comment-86136 rv Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:03:37 +0000 http://hburgnews.com/?p=1054#comment-86136 I think it is terrible to hold something against someone such as a drug offense or even a theft charge in which a person was convicted when they were 18-20 years old and are now almost 30. A child molestor is a different story since they are proven to never change. I think it is terrible to hold something against someone such as a drug offense or even a theft charge in which a person was convicted when they were 18-20 years old and are now almost 30. A child molestor is a different story since they are proven to never change.

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]]> By: Don http://hburgnews.com/2008/07/27/how-did-accused-molester-pass-wal-mart-background-check/comment-page-1/#comment-81389 Don Sat, 12 Sep 2009 03:24:11 +0000 http://hburgnews.com/?p=1054#comment-81389 What makes me mad, is that there are legit people who makes mistakes and are really trying to turn their life in the right direction. And there are those who couldn't care less, those are the ones that make it hard on the trying ones. Everyone has problems and doesn't choose them, if that were the case I am pretty sure Sex offenders would pick another probelm. What makes me mad, is that there are legit people who makes mistakes and are really trying to turn their life in the right direction. And there are those who couldn’t care less, those are the ones that make it hard on the trying ones. Everyone has problems and doesn’t choose them, if that were the case I am pretty sure Sex offenders would pick another probelm.

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]]> By: Brooke http://hburgnews.com/2008/07/27/how-did-accused-molester-pass-wal-mart-background-check/comment-page-1/#comment-42874 Brooke Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:33:51 +0000 http://hburgnews.com/?p=1054#comment-42874 I'm with you, Emmy. Not keen on the idea of a convicted sex offender in the neighborhood, but just the same, in a way, I'd almost rather know where the guys are, so I can keep an eye on them, and my kids around them. And something else to remember it that not all guys on the sex offender registry are pedophiles, or even rapists. Being 19 and having a consensual relationship with a 16 or 17 year old, can get you on the registry, if her parents get mad enough about it. A relative of mine just celebrated her 12th anniversary with her husband, and, just before they married, her parents almost had him arrested for statutory rape because they were mad about them being together when she was 16. Now, I can't say I blame them for being mad about it. But rape? A criminal record? Being a registered sex offender and probably facing being run out of neighborhoods for the rest of his life? I'm glad they reconsidered. And again, like you said, running those guys out of the neighborhood, especially ones who were not convicted of crimes against children, doesn't in any way keep our kids safe, because it doesn't do a thing to protect against unregistered or pedophiles who haven't been caught yet. While we *definitely* need to be careful about our kids being in public restrooms alone, and be leery of strangers approaching or watching little kids, the sad fact is, like rape, MOST kids are molested by someone they know and trust, not a complete stranger. Mommy's new boyfriend/husband, the nice neighbor next door, an uncle or cousin, a neighbor kid who was abused themselves. It's not just creepy strangers lurking in bathroom stalls, or registered sex offenders by any stretch of the imagination. I’m with you, Emmy. Not keen on the idea of a convicted sex offender in the neighborhood, but just the same, in a way, I’d almost rather know where the guys are, so I can keep an eye on them, and my kids around them.

And something else to remember it that not all guys on the sex offender registry are pedophiles, or even rapists. Being 19 and having a consensual relationship with a 16 or 17 year old, can get you on the registry, if her parents get mad enough about it. A relative of mine just celebrated her 12th anniversary with her husband, and, just before they married, her parents almost had him arrested for statutory rape because they were mad about them being together when she was 16. Now, I can’t say I blame them for being mad about it. But rape? A criminal record? Being a registered sex offender and probably facing being run out of neighborhoods for the rest of his life? I’m glad they reconsidered.

And again, like you said, running those guys out of the neighborhood, especially ones who were not convicted of crimes against children, doesn’t in any way keep our kids safe, because it doesn’t do a thing to protect against unregistered or pedophiles who haven’t been caught yet.

While we *definitely* need to be careful about our kids being in public restrooms alone, and be leery of strangers approaching or watching little kids, the sad fact is, like rape, MOST kids are molested by someone they know and trust, not a complete stranger. Mommy’s new boyfriend/husband, the nice neighbor next door, an uncle or cousin, a neighbor kid who was abused themselves.

It’s not just creepy strangers lurking in bathroom stalls, or registered sex offenders by any stretch of the imagination.

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]]> By: Emmy http://hburgnews.com/2008/07/27/how-did-accused-molester-pass-wal-mart-background-check/comment-page-1/#comment-42871 Emmy Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:53:55 +0000 http://hburgnews.com/?p=1054#comment-42871 I totally agree with Brooke. I have two young boys and when I'm out with them they go into the bathroom with me. They are just starting to get old enough that I've had a few strange looks, but its something that others will just have to get over. I read some message boards dealing with parenting and I'm always amazed when mothers freak out when a sex offender moves into their neighborhood. They vow to make the persons life a nightmare so they'll move and they are so outraged that its happening in their community. Certainly they have the right to be upset, but I always remind them that at least they know about this person and can be move vigilant. Its all those who have yet to offend or who have yet to be caught that they should be more concerned with. It never seems to get through. I totally agree with Brooke. I have two young boys and when I’m out with them they go into the bathroom with me. They are just starting to get old enough that I’ve had a few strange looks, but its something that others will just have to get over.

I read some message boards dealing with parenting and I’m always amazed when mothers freak out when a sex offender moves into their neighborhood. They vow to make the persons life a nightmare so they’ll move and they are so outraged that its happening in their community. Certainly they have the right to be upset, but I always remind them that at least they know about this person and can be move vigilant. Its all those who have yet to offend or who have yet to be caught that they should be more concerned with. It never seems to get through.

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]]> By: Brooke http://hburgnews.com/2008/07/27/how-did-accused-molester-pass-wal-mart-background-check/comment-page-1/#comment-42864 Brooke Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:32:51 +0000 http://hburgnews.com/?p=1054#comment-42864 Don't worry, Brian. The only place we're moving is into town. :-) And thanks for your kind words (both of you)! Don’t worry, Brian. The only place we’re moving is into town. :-) And thanks for your kind words (both of you)!

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]]> By: Brian M http://hburgnews.com/2008/07/27/how-did-accused-molester-pass-wal-mart-background-check/comment-page-1/#comment-42836 Brian M Tue, 29 Jul 2008 05:32:57 +0000 http://hburgnews.com/?p=1054#comment-42836 Brooke, your comments have amazed and fascinated me for some time. Your eloquent and commonsense approach at situations makes me very glad that you are one of my neighbors in this community. Don't move. Educated voices of sanity are rare around here. lol Thanks again! Brooke, your comments have amazed and fascinated me for some time. Your eloquent and commonsense approach at situations makes me very glad that you are one of my neighbors in this community. Don’t move. Educated voices of sanity are rare around here. lol

Thanks again!

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]]> By: David Miller http://hburgnews.com/2008/07/27/how-did-accused-molester-pass-wal-mart-background-check/comment-page-1/#comment-42828 David Miller Tue, 29 Jul 2008 03:28:19 +0000 http://hburgnews.com/?p=1054#comment-42828 Christa, I don't think you are paranoid at all. You're just a realist. I simply wanted to point out (thank you Brooke, elequent as ever) that we really don't need the government dictating more and more of our affairs. Christa, I don’t think you are paranoid at all. You’re just a realist.

I simply wanted to point out (thank you Brooke, elequent as ever) that we really don’t need the government dictating more and more of our affairs.

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]]> By: Christa http://hburgnews.com/2008/07/27/how-did-accused-molester-pass-wal-mart-background-check/comment-page-1/#comment-42782 Christa Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:16:28 +0000 http://hburgnews.com/?p=1054#comment-42782 Heck, I do background checks on my tenants. Always did them on new employees. Guess I'm just paronoid. Heck, I do background checks on my tenants. Always did them on new employees. Guess I’m just paronoid.

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]]> By: Brooke http://hburgnews.com/2008/07/27/how-did-accused-molester-pass-wal-mart-background-check/comment-page-1/#comment-42779 Brooke Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:46:48 +0000 http://hburgnews.com/?p=1054#comment-42779 Dave is right. While I understand the allure of having one less potential predator in the store at any given moment, the background check would have done nothing to keep this kid safe, and would only have provided a false sense of security. 1. It has not been verified that the man worked for Walmart at the time of the attack. He very well could have been fired before it happened, and was just wearing the badge. 2. Even if he'd been fired before this happened, or not hired at all, because of the it doesn't prevent him from being in the store as a customer. The kid didn't open the stall door because he saw a Wal-mart employee badge. The man forced the door open. So his working or not working at Wal-mart really has nothing to do with what happened. 3. For every known, registered sex offender, there are that many more that haven't been caught, that no background check would ever catch. 4. This false sense of security leads us to believe our kids are safe when they're not. Similar to believing your kids are safer in the Target restroom (as I've seen claimed elsewhere). Boloney. The moment you think your kid is perfectly safe anywhere out of your direct line of sight, is the moment you let something happen. Our kids need to be taught how to protect themselves, and until they're able to run, kick, scream, do whatever they can to get away from a predator, then we need to do whatever we can to make sure they stay safe. That we know who they're with, where they are, and that someone we trust is watching them, if we're not there. Can't prevent everything from happening or live in a bubble, but we CAN make sure we don't get lulled into false senses of security or measures that may not prevent something from happening at all. As far as public restrooms go, my young son is not permitted to set foot in a public restroom without my husband or I. If he and I are out, he comes with me into the ladies room. And if that bothers a lady in there (as long as he's behaving and minding his own business) then that's just too bad. His safety is more important than some stranger's approval. He'll continue until I am confident he knows how to handle a situation where someone is trying to be inappropriate with him. Dave is right. While I understand the allure of having one less potential predator in the store at any given moment, the background check would have done nothing to keep this kid safe, and would only have provided a false sense of security.

1. It has not been verified that the man worked for Walmart at the time of the attack. He very well could have been fired before it happened, and was just wearing the badge.

2. Even if he’d been fired before this happened, or not hired at all, because of the it doesn’t prevent him from being in the store as a customer. The kid didn’t open the stall door because he saw a Wal-mart employee badge. The man forced the door open. So his working or not working at Wal-mart really has nothing to do with what happened.

3. For every known, registered sex offender, there are that many more that haven’t been caught, that no background check would ever catch.

4. This false sense of security leads us to believe our kids are safe when they’re not. Similar to believing your kids are safer in the Target restroom (as I’ve seen claimed elsewhere). Boloney. The moment you think your kid is perfectly safe anywhere out of your direct line of sight, is the moment you let something happen.

Our kids need to be taught how to protect themselves, and until they’re able to run, kick, scream, do whatever they can to get away from a predator, then we need to do whatever we can to make sure they stay safe. That we know who they’re with, where they are, and that someone we trust is watching them, if we’re not there. Can’t prevent everything from happening or live in a bubble, but we CAN make sure we don’t get lulled into false senses of security or measures that may not prevent something from happening at all.

As far as public restrooms go, my young son is not permitted to set foot in a public restroom without my husband or I. If he and I are out, he comes with me into the ladies room. And if that bothers a lady in there (as long as he’s behaving and minding his own business) then that’s just too bad. His safety is more important than some stranger’s approval. He’ll continue until I am confident he knows how to handle a situation where someone is trying to be inappropriate with him.

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