This was front page news in The Sellwood Bee weeks ago. Just now, the daily is getting around to covering something already revealed in a monthly.

http://www.readthebee.com/

Going after the rental property owner is always a good tactic. Perhaps some enterprising folks could track down the owners of local rental slums through County records and then post their names along with property pictures on a Shame Blog?

Many a fat cat landlord collects big cash income from renting dumps to criminals who they wouldn't want in their neighborhood.

I'd say the "obvious question" is why these people are being released back into the community to offend again.

Maybe because the tighty righties who want them locked up forever won't pay the taxes that it takes to keep them in prison.

Perhaps some enterprising folks could track down the owners of local rental slums through County records and then post their names along with property pictures on a Shame Blog?

All you need is portlandmaps.com and a blog. ;)

Maybe because the tighty righties who want them locked up forever won't pay the taxes that it takes to keep them in prison.

I'd posit that it's the limp lefties who feel that they should be reintegrated into their fantasy society of "tolerance".

You know, better than I, that, if the taxes really went toward locking up these f**ks, there'd be no shortage of tighty righties lining up to pay.

Tighty righties (like you?) have many platitudes to try to disguise it with, but in the end, it's all about their money and their fears. And they'll take a free ride whenever it's available.

Hmmm. I have no desire to have sex offenders living in my neighborhood. However, it begs the question of where offenders are supposed to live once they are released from prison. The same problem exists with felons who have records that prohibit their occupancy at most apartments and don't allow them to get a job. With so many people in prisons now, the problem is only getting worse. Come on folks - it's easier to complain than find a solution.

As for harassing landlords, it can be mighty difficult to find the real person behind the corporate name. Typically a commercial property is owned by the company (an LLC), and the state registrar may only list the Registered Agent or a paid manager/representative and not owners/members as required. I was told by someone in the Sec. Of State's office that registration information is on the honor system. The only way I have found that works sometimes is to do a records search for the title and if there is or was a mortgage filed, the owner names may be on them. It's a chore, but has a chance of working when PDX Maps fails.

Better to find a good solution for ex-cons of all stripes.

They didn't live there, I don't think. It was some sort of outpatient counseling deal.

A King City location might be ideal for the pedophiles. Old town for the rest.

tighty righties at fault??--thought the reason was due to the defense lawyers and the ACLU--indivual rights trumping those of society at large.

teresa: I thought it was the fault of Bush/Cheney, everything else is.

"I'd say the "obvious question" is why these people are being released back into the community to offend again."

Actually, recidivism for sex offenders is much lower than for most crimes.* Your local convicted burglar is way more likely to strike again than a sex offender. This may be partly because the rate of false convictions for sex offenders is higher than for any other crime. Why? Because no evidence beyond the word of an accuser is necessary to convict. No DNA, no witnesses, and no confession by the accused are no problem for prosecutors. All they need is someone to take the stand and say it happened. Meanwhile, of course, in cases like this, everyone assumes the accused is guilty before being proven innocent. Just look at the witch hunt currently taking place in Steubenville, Ohio.

The above should not be taken as support for sexual predators. There are indeed some dangerous people out there. But your average sex offender, who may or may not actually be guilty, needs the same things you and I do : a safe place to live and a decent-paying job. And yes, therapy can help, too. Without these, those who are inclined to offend again are actually more likely to do so.

*For recidivism rates see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_offender

Thanks Alice. I didn't realize the bar was so low for conviction. Solutions must be found found for housing and employment for all ex-cons. Jail should not be just a holding place for people who will back among us.

Alice, does that mean you'd be okay with having a convicted sex offender treatment center in you neighborhood? I mean, the recidivism rate for sex offenders being so low - and hey, this group is getting help - probably counseling! - and there is a good chance they were falsy accused in any case. Or you're fine with the idea in theory - just not your a good fit for your neighborhood?

It wouldn't bother me at all, PomMom. In theory or in reality. Treatment centers have to be somewhere.