Check out the e-mail from a local sex offender.

540s’ news story about the sex offender probation office across the street from McCoy elementary didn’t quite give the whole story. That office was been there before I moved to Orange County in 1999, and McCoy’s playground had been where their building is now. At the southeastern corner of the grounds, less than 300 feet from the offices front door, the intersection of Turnbull and Commander, there has always been a crossing guard and unaccompanied children have always been walking along the streets to that intersection when I arrived for my monthly visit.

It might be interesting to find out how many children have been attacked over the years because of the offenders proximity to their school.

It might be interesting to interview the officers responsible for managing these offenders and find out how many offenders they have had to violate for repeat sexual offenses. Either they lied to me, or Dr. Levenson told you the truth about the low recidivism rates and effective treatment for sex offenders when you interviewed her a while back.

I doubt they will be allowed to interview with you but you could try. Our treatment group with our therapists drafted a letter to the media and legislators a few weeks ago but the sponsoring university and it’s psychiatric department refused to endorse it because of fear that the public would be outraged that it provided treatment to sex offenders and force it to terminate the program.

I think it’s time the media gave the whole truth about sex offenders to the public, rather than continually terrify and inflame them. Maybe then treatment providers, community managers (probation officers, etc.), research psychologists and universities will be more effective than they already are.

-Al from Cocoa

I'm afraid you won't find a whole lot of interest in the other side of the story among listeners. Nor should you expect sympathy from the public. Most people don't want their kids used as guinea pigs in a giant social experiment to see if you really are cured.
-PC