Convicted child molester arrested at library.

Goes to show…

While stories like this provide good and bad press for libraries, I wish such things were more widely circulated. People who drop off their kids and leave so we can provide free babysitting might not be so eager to continue that behavior after hearing such news.

I’ve had some fiery arguements with patrons who drop their kids off and leave. One parent claimed their child just as I was calling the police to report an abandoned. When they started to get hot with me over almost calling the police I simply reached underneath the desk and pulled out our “mug file.” The mug file is a binder full of the notices our police department sends out regarding Level 3 sex offenders. Their jaw dropped when I started pointing at two or three pictures of people who had been in that day let alone those who we’ve seen in here at all on a regular basis.

Their excuse? They just didn’t know that such people would come to a library. And that’s usually the case. They just don’t know. They’re not rapers of children, and they have no idea how to think like one. While I can’t claim that I know how these monsters think, I do know one thing: They will want to go where the children are. In other words, playgrounds, schools, and public libraries.

Re:Goes to show…

What gets me is how parents wouldn’t dream of dropping their kids off alone at the mall, at the park, or at the playground. But for some reason the library is okay. I think it’s because they believe that, since the staff is always around, no one would dream of trying anything in front of witnesses.

WOOO WOOO! Here comes the clue train! Flashers and those who like exposing themselves want witnesses. That’s the point. What good is it to stand in front of a mirror at home and expose yourself?