Georgia Mayor Will Round Up Sex Offenders, Lock Them In City Hall During Halloween

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Georgia Mayor Will Round Up Sex Offenders, Lock Them In City Hall During Halloween

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When it comes to sex offenders, every state has their own way of punishing them.

While federal law requires that all 50 states maintain registries that are accessible by the public, many cities and towns like to take it a step further and implement their own laws to protect their residents.

For one Georgia town, they have recently unveiled a "precautionary action" plan that they believe will keep the children safe while they're out trick-or-treating on Halloween night.

Sex Offender Check-In

Gary E. Jones, the mayor of Grovetown, announced on Facebook that all registered sex offenders on probation will be rounded up and held at City Hall on October 31 for three hours.

"In order to ensure the safety of our children, all sex offenders (on probation) in the City of Grovetown will be housed in the county chambers on Halloween night for three hours," read the notice.

Jones added that this decision will affect about 25 to 30 individuals, and they will be overseen by the Georgua Department of Community Supervision and accompanied by a local police officer.

In order to ensure the safety of our children, all sex offenders (on Probation) in the City of Grovetown (area) will be...

Posted by Mayor Gary E. Jones on Monday, October 22, 2018

Social Media Reacts

The announcement has stirred a debate on social media, and while many of the residents have shown support for the action, there are some who think it is wrong.

"You know, I think that this is terrible..I am absolutely against any kind of sex abuse to children or anyone, but these 'offenders' have paid their debt to society..I pray they are walking as they should, but to place them in a building as a criminal is wrong..." wrote one user.

Some of the Mayor's critics argued that there is no evidence children are at a higher risk of being targeted by sexual predators on Halloween night, so Jones should spend the resources on another problem, such as children getting hit by vehicles.

According to the National Safety Council, children are twice as likely to be injured or killed by a car on Halloween than any other day.

Another Facebook user asked why Jones couldn't do the same with "those on probation for murder, mugging and robberies," before questioning if this is even legal.

Is it legal?

The answer is yes, it is legal.

As per the Georgia Department of Community Supervision, paroled sex offenders can be asked to check in into a specific location at any time, including on Halloween night.

There are also folks who can't comprehend why anyone would even side with the sex offenders.

"I just don't understand why so many people on here are siding with the sex offenders. It's truly baffling," read one comment. "That one would support a low life like that. The mayor of Grovetown has done no wrong. He is following the laws."

Another chimed in, "Those of you that are against this issue need to think 'what if your child was one of the victims' !!!! These predators do not change and there is no cure! Paying their debt to society does not prevent them from doing it again!"

Do you think the Mayor made the right decision?

Blair isn't a bestselling author, but she has a knack for beautiful prose. When she isn't writing for Shared, she enjoys listening to podcasts.