As a concerned parent, my children attend a school that is alarmingly close to the residence of a registered child sex offender. A number of our community's children walk to and from this school daily, along with the offender having direct eyesight of the school's playground. The fear that this man could potentially pose a threat to our children's safety is unbearable for all parents and guardians in our community. Present regulations allowed him to continue residing within 2,000 feet of the school as he owned his home before conviction - a loophole that desperately needs addressing.

Sex offenders are much more likely than non-sex offenders to be arrested for another sexual offense after their discharge from prison. The US Department of Justice found that an estimated "5.3% of sex offenders are rearrested for another sexual assault." (US Department of Justice, 2003). In light of these statistics, and in order to safeguard our children, this law should no longer make exceptions for pre-conviction homeowners. As this does not just negatively affect our community but potentially poses a risk to all Oklahoma school districts. 

Please join us in petitioning for this critical change in the law to ensure the protection of our most vulnerable population - our children. Sign this petition today to help bring safety and peace of mind back to our families and our community.