Is Your Neighborhood Safe For Women?

Our society is becoming more and more like a hermit one. Most people live in their own little world, secluded from their neighbors and friends. But us women especially, need to reach out and explore our neighborhoods.

Photo by La Citta Vita

It's no wonder that some people suffer from depression and loneliness. The age of communication is progress, but we also should take more seriously, personal contact with others. It helps with our safety, makes us happier and it especially enables us women to rely on others for the occasional emergencies that we sometimes may encounter.

The more you know your neighbors, the more you will look out for each other. Have you ever met the officers of your neighborhood's police department? Try to become friends with a few officers. They are the individuals that keep our home's safety, in check! They might step out of their way to help you, if you ever need assistance with creepy individuals. Make sure you contact them if you are leaving your home for a few days… Many police officers offer patrolling your street, if they know you are going away for a few days. By the way, have you looked at your police department's website? Most have information regarding sexual offenders in your area. Some show pictures of the sexual offenders and even their exact addresses… You will be surprised to know how many sexual offenders are around your neck of the woods!

Basically, women or men for that matter, need to have neighborhood friendships and develop a sense of community. Not only does safety help keep your mental sanity, you will be happier and your neighborhood will feel like an extended family!

Should Children Trick or Treat at Sex Offenders' Front Door?

We all know that you can go to your neighborhood sheriff's website and find out where sex offenders live. But how comfortable are you in having your children, knock on their doors, during Halloween?

Photo by hanna_horwarth

Back in the 70's there was the fear of razor blades in apples and poisoned candy. Now, many cities are concerned about sex offenders or pedophiles. For example, in a city in California, there is an ordinance in place that does not allow sex offenders to display halloween decor outside their homes. The sex offenders are also not allowed to open the door if trick or treaters knock. It also prohibits these individuals to light up their lights outside, after dark. Plus, the ordinance also requires sex offenders or pedophiles to place a sign on their doors with one inch lettering. This sign is required to read: "No candy or treats at this residence."

But these cautionary measures for children aren't only in California... In a neighborhood in Florida, a home association motioned to dispatch a security guard to keep an eye or monitor a sex offender's home during Halloween. In Georgia some uniformed guards were placed at a neighborhood's gated entrance, to distribute flyers informing neighbors, where the pedophiles lived.

There are some lawyers already filing lawsuits in courts, stating that these types of laws or ordinances, infringe on the First Amendment rights of pedophiles. What's your view on this issue? Is it worth while for the safety of our children on Halloween? Or does it go overboard and is it unconstitutional against pedophiles?