Portsmouth not participating in programs to keep sex offenders away from trick-or-treaters

Sounds like a case of ego, Sheriff ... the programs are available, so why
Not participate? If there is a Good reason why Not, then why Not say
say it in Your response, other than "...deputies will be out keeping a
close eye on sex offenders this Halloween."??

You don't think that Norfolk and Virginia Beach police aren't keeping a
close watch also, in additional to participating in one or both of the
programs available?

Another case of adverse publicity for the Fine City of Portsmouth!

My TAX dollars at work....again...

Oh, big deal. If parents watch their kids, then it's no problem. Can't you find a REAL story to report on?

These are the people that protect us and we wonder why the world is the way it is cause nobody cares not even the police and that is sad.

Ahhhh, another reason why Portsmouth is a great city to NOT live in!

The real reason Portsmouth is not particpating, is they do not have the money nor the man power. There is not enough money in the budget to open the court houses for the night and haul everyone in there for four hours. Also they do not have the man power to send probation offices to each home to verify that they are home like they are suppose to. this all boils down to money and man power which portsmouth has neither.

why? thats because portsmouth is a NON-DOIN ANYTHING city! SUCKS!!

This news channel seems to report A LOT of stories that are not true and this is ANOTHER!! Just to scare us in Portsmouth or to get us to watch their most boring news channel! The city of Portsmouth IS doing what some other cities are doing! Lights have to be off at houses of these crazy people and they are going to be mad eto do it. I love my city. Stop attacking us and telling so many lies! Get a REAL, TRUE story for once news chaneel 3!!!!!!!

I think it's time we got rid of Watson for once and all! I don't want my kids to end up another statistic.

Hey, I know maybe they feel that the parents should watch thier kids. So you take all the sex offenders and move them to a courthouse, gym or somewhere else to keep an eye on them and you feel your kids are safe from all harm. NOT, what about the crazy people that want to take your kids that are not on the list like in Florida. Come on now the only way to make sure your young children are safe is if you as a parent take responsibility for their safety. I for one will be holding my sons hand and keeping him near me at all times. That is MY job as a parent, not the city or my neighbors but ultimately my job.

Sex offenders are the LEAST LIKELY of ALL FELONS to re-offend.
Parents...TAKE RESPONSIBILITY and ACCOMPANY your children when they are trick or treating.
Too many parents nowadays are relying on teachers, police officers, daycares, etc., to "keep an eye on" their children.
While I'm totally AGAINST a sex offender registry (if one class of FELONS are required to register, ALL types of FELONS should be required to register!), it is still available for people to use.
PASSIVE PARENTING NEEDS TO STOP!!!

This an example of why I left Portsmouth 43 years ago. I'm kind of ashamed to mention I was born and raised in Park View.
Way to go, Portsmouth. Virginia is 20 years behind the rest of the nation and Portsmouth is 20 years behind the rest of Virginia.

Approximately 60% of boys and 80% of girls who are sexually victimized are abused by someone known to the child or the child's family (Lieb, Quinsey, and Berliner, 1998). Relatives, friends, baby-sitters, persons in positions of authority over the child, or persons who supervise children are more likely than strangers to commit a sexual assault. If your child is going to be a vicitm, they know the victim.

Sex offenders DO re-affend!!! Get educated!!! AND THEY SHOULD REGISTER!!!!
In saying that, parents need to be responsible for their children. Police, probation, schools, etc., cannot do the parents job! They do their jobs, parents need to do theirs, parents watch your kids!! And the sheriff needs to do his job, and needs to do it well, hopefully he will not be voted into that position again. Obviously, he cannot work with other departments in his city, how can he work effectively for the people in Portsmouth?! Stop blaming and everybody be responsible and do what you are supposed to do!

Lynn wrote:

Sex offenders DO re-affend!!! Get educated!!! AND THEY SHOULD REGISTER!!!!
In saying that, parents need to be responsible for their children. Police, probation, schools, etc., cannot do the parents job! They do their jobs, parents need to do theirs, parents watch your kids!! And the sheriff needs to do his job, and needs to do it well, hopefully he will not be voted into that position again. Obviously, he cannot work with other departments in his city, how can he work effectively for the people in Portsmouth?! Stop blaming and everybody be responsible and do what you are supposed to do!

Lynn...

If you would take the time to go back and re-read my comment, you'll see that I didn't say anything about sex offenders NOT re-offending. My comment specifically stated that they are the LEAST LIKELY to re-offend.

Well read more literature because they are the MOST likely to re-affend.

Excuse me, reoffend; re-offend and re-affend--not appropriate words-both misspelled.

Crime committed subsequently after sexual assault is highly recognized in the court system. It is evaluated in an evidence based practice system. Many crimes are committed on second, third, and many more offenses, however, sexual assault is seen psychologically adverse and lifelong devastation ensues, therefore these persons should be monitored closely.

The City of Portsmouth is doing their job in monitoring these felons and the City should receive appropriate recognition. The sheriff should also give accurate information in regards to this serious situation and not use this as a crutch for election. Disgusting.

The FACT is, Probation is participating. They will be out checking on sex offenders and as Kerry mentioned above, they are requiring them to keep their lights off and not participate in Halloween. I want to commend them for not trying to get their names in the news instead focusing on their difficult jobs. It's clear, they are not in the business of seeking public recognition for a job they are required to do and do every day!! Channel 3, specifically the reporters and producers that put this story together should go back and take a couple of journalism classes. The ones that say the media should report the news not make it and ethics. It's Halloween and this station is using it and untrue statements to scare you to watch them. RATINGS PEOPOLE!!! WATSON, his job is a POLITICAL position. He needs publicity to keep his job. He has no idea what Probation Officers do (State Probation). The reporter should have asked him when the last time he worked with probation to help keep Portsmouth safe. Or when was the last time he called that department to find out what they do and how they could work together. He's responsible for running a law enforcement agency, He shouldn't have stood in front of the camera and bad mouthed another. Oh, I forgot, the election is next week!!

Lynn wrote:

AND THEY SHOULD REGISTER!!!!

Lynn...
How do you feel about a registry for ALL types of felons, regardless of the crime committed?
Wouldn't a registry for child/elder/domestic abusers be just as important?
Wouldn't a registry for larceny/dui/embezzlement/forge ry be just as important?
Why should sex offenders be the ONLY type of felony which requires registration?

Lynn....your an idiot...some offenders on that stupid registry have nothing to do with physically abusing children at all...YOU GET EDUCATED.....Its an unworthy title the state of Virginia puts a label on......political bull S@*% . and PARENTS DO NEED TO DO THEIR JOBS A LOT BETTER. You should always accompany your child even if they are old enough....Too many people shove the responsibility off on everyone else...see it all day every day.....I take care of my kids....Don't trust anyone else...Your best friend could be an offender and you wouldn't even know it....Maybe they have abused several kids but hasn't been cought yet...you never know.....Be wise...Watch your own kids....and once again GET EDUCATED THE PROPER WAY............