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Violent offender registry should be considered

We hear the horror stories over and over again. A brutal crime is committed. After police make an arrest, it is revealed the perpetrator has been in trouble before for an act of violence. Within his community, no one knew.

Had they been aware of the person’s record, those around him might have taken precautions.

When sex crimes are involved, people living around the offenders do know, or at least have the ability to make themselves aware. In our state and many others, online sex offender registries take care of that.

Two Ohio state senators, Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green, and Cliff Hite, R-Findlay, wonder why something similar cannot be established for those convicted of violent crimes. They and other Buckeye State lawmakers are looking into the possibility of setting up such a program.

The same objections voiced about sex offender registries will be heard about the legislators’ idea. Once a convicted criminal has served his or her sentence in jail or prison, the debt to society is paid, some believe. Forcing them to register their names and addresses for online examination by the public is cruel and unusual punishment, some critics maintain.

No, it is not. It is giving some protection to the public against those whose actions have demonstrated they may be threats in the future.

Before any action is taken by the General Assembly, several issues need to be addressed. What types of crimes would require registration? Would it be for life or just a set number of years? Would the public have access to the registry or would that be limited to law enforcement agencies?

Those questions need to be answered, of course. But once lawmakers have a formula addressing them, they should consider a violent offender registry for Ohio. We use one in an attempt to prevent rape. Why not murder?

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