Proactive Strategy...It Means More than Carrying a CCW...Know Your Surroundings

[Geno]

A part of my strategy for protecting me, my family and firearms is to track what is happening in my surrounding area. In reviewing the Michigan State Police website for convicted sex offenders, I found 44 registered in our zip code. In checking with http://www.familywatchdog.us/, I found 182 in our zip code. Why the difference? I do not know.

Given the kidnappings of late, I would like to alert my fellow THR members that this website exists, and that it is excellent source for proactively assessing your surroundings. In keeping this “…strategic…” for the purposes of THR, we proactively discussed the site with our daughter (LilSureShot1994), and discussed the “what-to-dos” if someone approaches her.

I have provided this link to all of my graduate students so that can pass it on too their students and their students’ parents/guardians. Their reactions have been overwhelmingly positive.

Use it and be safe!

Doc2005

 

[Zundfolge]

Thats neet and all, but more and more I'm convinced that Sex Offender Registries are pointless.

• They don't include sex offenders that have never been caught/convicted (so that creates a false sense of security)
• They assume that most sex offenders commit crimes near where they live and/or work (nothing to stop one from driving across town to where your "safe" neighborhood is).
• Too damn many "Other Offenses" people registered. Honestly I don't care if the guy that lives next door got caught urinating in public, or the 22 year old across the street had a consensual sexual relationship with his 15 year old girlfriend when he was 18, or the guy up the road that streaked a football game on a dare.
• What kind of violent crime are you more likely to encounter? A sex crime or a mugging? These registries don't tell me that the guy renting the house on the corner has a mile long rap sheet for armed robbery, battery and other assorted NON SEXUAL crimes.

Certainly these registries aren't 100% useless, but I think they create in the minds of too many people a false sense of security.


Isn't it the marines that have a slogan something like "Be ready to kill everyone you meet"? that seems more useful to me than sex offender registries.

 

[Geno]

It's Better Than a Stick-in-the-Eye.

No site is fully comprehensive. That aside, it is extensive, and improving. The difference is that the state-level site did not indicate that there was one of the people living .20 of a mile from us. It indicated about 1.5 miles away. At this site, you can do sky-view-searches, and view their actual house. Pretty sweet!

It does tell the criminal detail too. Take some time and review it. It is comprehensive. Whatever it may lack, you can always check your state's site, for example our Michigan State Police. It is one tool. Just like a pistol will not stop all crime, it is a tool. If you're not fully happy with it, PLEASE notify your congress person. Ask them to have it enhanced.

Doc2005

Edited to add:

Since our first search, one more has been added...now 183 in our zip code.

 

[pax]

Zund ~

Before I get out of the car at the local stop-n-rob, I always look around the lot.

If I see a known danger, I leave.

That doesn't mean I'm not aware that there may also be unknown dangers lurking elsewhere.

But changing an unknown danger into a known one is a step in the right direction.

pax

 

[Zundfolge]

I agree that we must keep our eyes open ... and frankly this crowd is more aware than most people so my complaints are not really as applicable to y'all .

My problem is that relying on sex offender registries (especially one as bad as this one ... DEFINITELY use your locally produced one if you're really worried) is that they create 1) A false sense of security (as too many people believe they are complete) and 2) create a false sense of danger (as most people on these registries are NOT DANGEROUS).

Its like looking at the ethnic makeup of your neighborhood and assuming there are no criminals around because there only are few blacks.

 

[Mr. Ouchie]

Thanks for posting that, my local PD has a list but it doesn't give addresses. One lives close, very close, and I had no idea.