Registered Sex Offenders in New Orleans

Friday night I was walking back to my car with my date in the French Quarter when a strange man approached us yelling he “wanted us badly” and other incoherent nothings. I was shaken and was curious as to how many registered sex offenders are listed in the New Orleans area. All the information I could find was at the following two websites: http://www.lasocpr.lsp.org/socpr/, http://www.lasocpr.lsp.org/Static/Background.htm. I was extremely aggravated to find all kinds of information, maps, addresses, records, and statistics dealing with many states and cities in the United States other than New Orleans. I went to the New Orleans Police Department website and found stats and info dealing with every other type of crime but sex offenses. Even on the La. State Police website, only a very brief paragraph was dedicated to sex offenders. The main problem with La. is that convicted sex offenders are being released back into the community because there is not enough room to house all the criminals in La. Sex offenders are being released, while “hardcore” murderers are being detained. There are over 70 registered sex offenders within a 5 mile radius of Loyola University New Orleans and Tulane Campus’. I believe this state is afraid to release stats dealing with sex offenders and the numerous crimes they commit for fear that our tourism and booming economic prosperity due to Mardi Gras, the Superdome, the French Quarter and other events will fall. The Loyola University New Orleans and Tulane Websites don’t offer this info either. This is public information, yet, it is offered for free on other cities and states websites, but in New Orleans you must pay to receive it. I was surprised to find that a man who used to be active in a church group I used to be a member of was convicted for child pornography and sex with a minor. I think all of this speaks volumes and we should all be more aware of our surroundings while jogging late at night in the park or down St. Charles Avenue.