Posted on 08/16/2008 5:45:45 PM PDT by Graybeard58
MARIETTA, Pa. -- A former tough-on-crime Pennsylvania lawmaker has adopted a new and unpopular cause, taking into his home three sex offenders who couldn't find a place to live -- a stand that has angered neighbors, drawn pickets and touched off a zoning dispute.
As cities across the nation pass ever-tighter laws to keep out people convicted of sex crimes, Tom Armstrong said he is drawing on his religious belief in forgiveness and sheltering the three men until he can open a halfway house for sex offenders.
''I think that our system is trying to treat everybody under a particular brand and it doesn't work,'' he said.
Nearly 100 Pennsylvania municipalities have ordinances restricting where sex offenders may live. The ordinances generally bar them from moving in next to schools, playgrounds or other places where children might gather.
In June, Armstrong quietly allowed a rapist and two other sex offenders who had served prison time to move into his 15-room century-old home 75 miles west of Philadelphia after another town blocked his plans for the halfway house. Soon, word got out after Armstrong's address appeared on the state Web site that lists the whereabouts of convicted sex offenders.
Residents of this former mill town of 2,700 on the Susquehanna River pressed officials for action.
''I understand how everybody deserves a second chance and all, but I'm not willing to risk my children and my neighbors to find out if they're rehabilitated or not,'' said Elizabeth Fulton, a mother of four.
No (D) or (R)?
Which is he?
I don’t have a problem with anyone doing this, especially if they are in law enforcement or the like.
At some point, people out of prison need to be given an opportunity to prove themselves anew. It doesn’t mean give them access to the temptation which led them to prison, though.
I support what this guy has done.
I’ve got a solution - keep them in prison. Or put them to death. Rape used to be a capital crime.
Me too. I’ve had my share of roommates with, uh, history.
(Although not that particular history)...
YES!
How many kids would still be alive if the wacko CONVICTED SEX OFFENDERS had STAYED IN JAIL. That should just be a no-brainer.
I don’t see enough information to make an informed decision. There are so many things that are labeled sex crimes, I don’t know if these guys are dangerous or not.
I’m not sure what these 3 guys did? Did they moon someone or was rape involved. Using sex offender does not tell me what crime they committed.
From the article, we know that at least one of them was a rapist.
A Republican, Armstrong served 12 years in the Legislature
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jgMnT9RtcjI5QlHigimnkDoXDqIAD92I9P900
Thanks.
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