What will the outcome be?

[teach85]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? IL

I am in charge of our local summer camp. Each day, my staff and I take our campers to the local pool. This Wednesday while at the pool a man was hitting on some of my staff members (a few who are under 18). He was also lounging by the side of the pool and appeared to be taking either pictures or video of children swimming in the pool. When I went to the head lifeguard to brig this to her attention another swimmer overhear and came over and told us the man was a registered sex offender. We went to the office and checked the online registry and sure enough the man was on there. He was listed as a violant sex offender-aggravated sexual abuse of a 7 year old and he is on parole. As the person responsible for my staff and the well being of my campers (one of them being my child) I was very concerned and called the police. In the mean time the man left. I sure it was because there we several people staring/pointing at him at his point. When the police arrived they asked questions and we identified him. When the officer was about to leave I asked if the man would be arrested and he said he didn’t know yet. How can he not know? From my understanding aren’t sex offenders required to stay away from schools, public parks, etc? He was identified by picture and several other swimmer from the community were also coming to the lifeguards complaining that they knew who he was and that he was a sex offender. I have been watching local arrests and he has yet to be arrested.

My questions are… 1. What will happen to this guy… 2. Am I right that he isn’t allowed to be at the pool… 3. Is there anything that I and the pool staff can do the prevent sex offenders gaining access to the pool in the future?

As a parent and someone in charge of the wellbeing of my camp kids, this really bothers me!

 

[CdwJava]

When the officer was about to leave I asked if the man would be arrested and he said he didn’t know yet. How can he not know?

Because parole conditions vary. Depending on the process in your state, the report may have to go to the prosecutor or to parole for disposition. The officer may not be able to just arrest him without his parole officer authorizing it.

From my understanding aren’t sex offenders required to stay away from schools, public parks, etc?

This is a common mis-perception and not always true. It might be, but in most states merely being a registered sex offender is insufficient to be in violation of the law. However, if he is on parole for a sex offense and is forbidden to linger in areas where children are, then it may very well be a violation of his parole.

My questions are… 1. What will happen to this guy… 2. Am I right that he isn’t allowed to be at the pool… 3. Is there anything that I and the pool staff can do the prevent sex offenders gaining access to the pool in the future?

The pool staff can always call the police if he returns. Or, if the pool is a private operation they will likely be within their rights to refuse him entry. if it is a public pool, and the man is not breaking the law by being there, they likely cannot exclude him just for showing up.

The pool staff can always check with the police to see whether the guy is not supposed to be there or not.

As a parent and someone in charge of the wellbeing of my camp kids, this really bothers me!

And it should. But, that does not mean that the man broke any laws.

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

I would think the management of the pool could enact a "no picture/video policy without prior authorization" and evict for violation.

 

[CdwJava]

I would think the management of the pool could enact a "no picture/video policy without prior authorization" and evict for violation.

That could become a huge problem. What criteria exists for approval? if I take pictures of my kids, but get pics of other kids as well, is that a violation? Will the criteria be based on a written, objective set of criteria? or, subjective? The minute one person is denied and another is accepted for the same reason, it can cause problems - especially if the perception is based upon race or gender.

And then, who is to say whether someone is using a cell phone or taking a picture with it? It could open the door for massive headaches for the lifeguards. I know I wouldn't want to try and enforce such a rule at a pool with a lot of people, but if it were a big enough problem and was a private pool, they could probably enact such a rule.

And while a private pool might enact whatever rules it wishes (within limits), a public pool might have a tough time getting away with such a policy.

We have had to deal with just this issue that the OP has indicated and out here there is nothing we can do about it unless the subject's parole prohibits the activity.

 

[teach85]

Thanks for your responses everyone. I'm just trying my best to keep all my kiddos safe. I found out last night from a local cop that is a friend of mine that this man was finally arrested. He was in violoation of his parole.

Another quick question. Does anyone know if there is anywhere were we can get a complete photo & name list of all our local sex offenders? Is this something that I could possible get from our local police department? I am asking because I have spoke with the pool manager and we both agree that if possible it would be great to have a picture and name list of local sex offenders keept in the front office where people pay to get in. That way at the very least if they are allowed to be there, we can be aware that they are there and keep a close eye on them.

Every website I have looked at either just gives a name list, or to get a picture you have to type in the name.

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

Welcome to the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Information Website

Most states have a link on the Attorney Generals site.

 

[teach85]

Welcome to the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Information Website

Most states have a link on the Attorney Generals site.

This is the website I was on. And in order to get the picture I have to enter the sex offenders name. I am looking for somewhere to get a full list of name & picture list to print off. I may not exist. I thought if anyone had one or knew where to get one our police department may know. I'm going to contact them sometime tomorrow. If all else fails, I will just have to go to the above website with my name list by my side and enter each one individually and print it off. I have no problems doing this if this is the way I have to do it, but was hoping to be able to get it in a less time consuming manor....It is a very long list!

 

[Perky]

This is the website I was on. And in order to get the picture I have to enter the sex offenders name. I am looking for somewhere to get a full list of name & picture list to print off. I may not exist. I thought if anyone had one or knew where to get one our police department may know. I'm going to contact them sometime tomorrow. If all else fails, I will just have to go to the above website with my name list by my side and enter each one individually and print it off. I have no problems doing this if this is the way I have to do it, but was hoping to be able to get it in a less time consuming manor....It is a very long list!

Long indeed! Cook alone has over 3000 entries!

It really wouldn't be very helpful, in my opinion, to have a printout of all the registered sex offenders. I think the best protection for campers is just what you're already doing. That is, paying attention to your surroundings and all the people in them. Your instincts found this guy pretty quickly.

If you had spent your time looking through pages of pictures, your attention would have been diverted during that time, and something more may have happened. Besides, for every registered offender, there's probably another (or more) who hasn't been caught yet.

Trust your instincts! Good luck!

 

[teach85]

Long indeed! Cook alone has over 3000 entries!

It really wouldn't be very helpful, in my opinion, to have a printout of all the registered sex offenders. I think the best protection for campers is just what you're already doing. That is, paying attention to your surroundings and all the people in them. Your instincts found this guy pretty quickly.

If you had spent your time looking through pages of pictures, your attention would have been diverted during that time, and something more may have happened. Besides, for every registered offender, there's probably another (or more) who hasn't been caught yet.

Trust your instincts! Good luck!

Good point. And THANK YOU! After our first week of camp and many other issues (camper havig a seizure and medics, a kids punching a staff member, and sex offenders) have a complete stranger tell me I'm doing my job right is very much appreciated!

They are also wanting it for the front office though. That way if they can still get in they cn notify the staff and my camp to keep a close eye on said person. I guess my reasoning for wanting the list for me is if a creeper shows up again and I've a picture list, his face will stick out to me. I am one of those people who never forgets a face. It would be helpful to have it to look though here and there. That way these people stand out to me. Maybe I'm freaking out more than needed, but when it comes to the well being of these kids and my own childs, I don't take things lightly!

 

[CdwJava]

Keep in mind that it is not the sex offender that you know of that is a threat, it is the one that you do NOT know that is the threat. Most offenders know their victims and are close to the victims' families ... keep that in mind.

And, many - perhaps most - offenders are not going to be on any list because they have not yet been caught and convicted.

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

teach85, you should email the Illinois Attorney General and explain the limitations of the format they have. It should be relatively easy for them to modify the software to present pictures by zip code and county. You have a very compelling reason they may not have considered.

 

[teach85]

teach85, you should email the Illinois Attorney General and explain the limitations of the format they have. It should be relatively easy for them to modify the software to present pictures by zip code and county. You have a very compelling reason they may not have considered.

THANK YOU for your suggestion! I would have never have thought of that. I will get right on it.

 

[Free_Advice]

I can understand your concern, especially with the taking of pictures. He is an employee, correct? You can try to get him fired if you feel that this is necessary and then see if a notice of trespass can be issued to the individual.

 

[teach85]

I can understand your concern, especially with the taking of pictures. He is an employee, correct? You can try to get him fired if you feel that this is necessary and then see if a notice of trespass can be issued to the individual.

No, he is not an employee. He was someone at the pool.

 

[Free_Advice]

No, he is not an employee. He was someone at the pool.

Must be a public pool then? This makes it harder. If it was a private pool, then it would be easier.

You could just stop going to the pool. Not what you want for the kids but their safety is important too. Over-reacting? Some would think so (I would) but you are there and I am not so I would float this by you.

A slip & slide & sprinklers could be just as fun.