We are residents of Mount Clare, West Virginia, living with a chilling reality. A child sex offender has recently moved into our Hollow, and we fear for the safety of our children who are still in grade school. This situation is not unique to us; it's a concern shared by many communities across the country.

According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), as of 2016, there were more than 859,500 registered sex offenders in the United States. Many of these individuals live near schools and residential areas with children under 18 years old. This proximity can pose significant risks to our young ones' safety and well-being.

We believe that laws should be enacted requiring all child sex offenders not to live near neighborhoods that have children under the age of 18 or next door to them. Such restrictions will provide an additional layer of protection for our most vulnerable population – our children.

By signing this petition, you're advocating for safer neighborhoods and stronger regulations on where convicted child sex offenders can reside post-incarceration in Mount Clare and beyond. Please join us in taking action now - sign this petition today!