Special License Plates for Habitual Sex Offenders in Ohio

Serious offenses call for serious measures. Today, we hear more and more about repeat sex offenders, especially those who molest, rape and sometimes murder innocent children. It is time we take a stand! Habitual sex offenders in Ohio need to be clearly identified. A good way to do this would be to force those convicted of such crimes to have an identifying license plate, much like those convicted of driving under the influence. Many children and their families can be spared this nightmare with these plates.

If the government can legally put a special license plate on the car of a repeat DUI offender, whether or not the person ever caused harm to anyone, why can we not identify repeat sex offenders such as pedophiles, rapists, and sexual predators in like manner? These people cause great harm to their victims. Their victims are damaged for life. The violent act not only robs the victim of his or her innocence, it also takes the victims soul.

Current methods or deterrents are not working. There are websites listing convicted sex offenders. Some websites will even post a picture of the offender, list an address, list what kind of car the person drives and list his or her license plate number. Certain convicted sex offenders are required to register when they move into a neighborhood. But, children are still being molested and sometimes even murdered. How many more children and their families need to suffer? Something else needs to be done! If habitual sex offenders are forced to have specialized plates on their vehicles, children and adults alike can be taught to recognize these plates and to stay away from vehicles that have them. Children will be able to play a little safer. Society will be a little more aware.

I know first hand the horrors of molestation. My father was a habitual sex offender. When he was around 24 years old, he molested me. He molested other female family members and also molested family friends over the years. He was tried, convicted, and served time for abusing two of his victims. At the age of 75, he was still molesting. He was caught when the mother of the child he was molesting walked in on him in the middle of the disgusting act. Unfortunately, he was never punished for this crime; while awaiting trial, he died.

This is not an issue about the rights of the offender; its about protecting our children and our society. Therefore, we are in favor of special plates to clearly identify these serious offenders and respectfully request that you consider this way of publicly identifying them.