Friday, February 12, 2010

SEX OFFENDERS PREDATORS PARKS


Which of These Words Don't Belong?
Sex Offenders, Predators, Parks.....
Here is a letter that was sent to the Senators on the Nebraska Judiciary Committee just a few days ago when it was discovered that they had felt it best to wait a year or so on a law labled LB265 which was introduced by Senator Robert Giese.
I would like to ask all of you to review the Committee's link - review the blogs and articles that each Senator writes and then please send them a letter in support of the bill LB265
Here is the letter that I wrote on behalf of the Watchful Eye Foundation:
WHICH OF THESE WORDS DON'T BELONG TOGETHER:
SEX PREDATORS CHILDREN PARKS

This letter is in regards to the proposed bill LB265 by Senator Robert Giese.

I understand that there was some hesitance in regards to pushing this through and viewed as a "what will be next issue" ......I would think that as voices for the citizens in Nebraska it would be best to view this as " What Else Can We Do"....

Not only in the State of Nebraska but worldwide we have suffered as communities in the lack of protection laws that are necessary to protect the most innocent species on earth - our Nations children.

To hold off on such a pertinent bill is simply not something that I nor others throughout Nebraska feel is acceptable....especially when it is a bill that protects a place that vulnerable children go to run and play and to just be innocent children. That is what I think when hear the word park. I do not think about sexual predators.But they are there camping and sitting on park benches next to the playground equipment or by the pool, seeking out their next victim. By holding off on this bill we are putting children at stake. When municipals spend so much funding on parks it is to attract the families and children - not sexual predators who are stalking their next victim.

As Senators representing the people who requested you to be their voice, to make the proper choices for our districts this responsibility has been given to you by those that trusted you enough to vote you into office. We the people, who you represent, are asking that you act upon this in a positive and timely manner so as to ensure Nebraskans that not only as their Senator's but as their voices, you will do whatever it takes to protect our children.

To sit back and do nothing is just wrong. All of you have children in your lives. If your child were at the park and was approached by a sex predator and pulled behind a group of trees and severely raped - you as parents, would be devastated.....now imagine that child and what they will be feeling....and the memory that has been forced upon them for the rest of their lives......all because it was thought best to hold off on a law that could have prevented sex predators from going into parks.

We have no choice Senators....we must be vigilant in the protection of our children. If we cannot count on you to help us with this we will feel as if you have let us down. Not only those who voted you into office but the children who you all state are your major priority.

Agreeing to the protection of children in any form does not in any way shape or form portray you as a soft sided Senator....it in fact portrays you as not only an individual who cares but also as a Senator who keeps their word about protecting the most vulnerable members of our society. Our children.

As Founder of the Watchful Eye Foundation it has been one of my goals to pursue changes in the sex offender laws. Nebraska has had numerous sex offender crimes and murders involving children. To be vigilant in improving our laws in Nebraska is not something that the voters will call you soft on.

Most people don't think about sex offenders being in parks a problem - however they are. In South Sioux City we had that very problem when registered sex offenders/predators were "camping" in Scenic Park and approached the swimming pool which is in the park, and began to flash their private parts to small children.

The people in Dakota County are on edge in particular when mentioning the words "sex offenders" as we had a 3 year child raped and sodomized and murdered by a man who came through her bedroom window last year. People are on edge. The quickest way to shut down a park is to allow it to sit empty and unused. That will happen I am afraid not only here in Dakota County but throughout Nebraska unless action is taken.

In Dakota County as well there has been an influx of offenders coming over across the bridge from Iowa. Out of 35 sex predators in South Sioux City, all but 6 are from Iowa. And that has been just since the new law went into effect January 1, 2010. Thirty five may seem like a small number however considering that all but one are classified as sexual predators, its a problem and a very frightening one at that.

If you look at Senator Giese's proposed bill LB265 as one that is to protect children, not one that is against predators then maybe that will convince you. I have faith in all of you that you will review this bill and move forward with it instead of pushing it back for another year. For the sake of our children in the state of Nebraska please act on this in a timely manner.

Sincerely,
Susie Squires M.
Founder
Watchful Eye Foundation
Here are the NEBRASKA Senators email addresses so that you may send your own letters.
Phone: (402) 471-2622Address: Room 1103, State Capitol, Lincoln NE 68509