You’ve seen them. I’ve seen them. Online or along local roadways.
And there’s been a few different groups of protestors in the valley waving provocative signs that read very, very clearly.
“Dead Pedophiles Don’t Reoffend”.
In recent weeks, protesters have been demonstrating near schools, along highways, and, most recently, very close to the courthouse in Brooke County. That’s because the terminated principal from Brooke High School has had two hearings there since being charged with three counts of wiretapping and one count of breaking and entering a non-residence.
The 53-year-old administrator allegedly placed four cameras in female dressing areas and locker rooms, and those devices are now with criminal investigators so they can determine what was recorded. Through his attorney, the accused waived his preliminary hearing so the case now progresses to the Circuit Court level, and Brooke County Magistrate Matt Harvey modified the defendant’s bond conditions as well.
Meanwhile, outside the proceedings along Main Street in Wellsburg … “Dead Pedophiles Don’t Reoffend”.
It’s been a national slogan for a few years anyway; the creation of the phrase can’t be pinpointed to the first person to say it on this day of that month in the year 20-something, but these days there are T-shirts, hoodies, stickers, and ballcaps with the slogan front and center. And every item is available on Amazon and eBay.
After several recent arrests and convictions of local residents, though, the fury over sexual crimes against children is more furious than ever before.
That’s because far too many local educators, family members, friends, clergy, and other “custodians” have been arrested and convicted of crimes involving children, and nationally, about 90 percent of the sentenced individuals are known to their young, vulnerable victims.
That’s one reason why we’re enraged, but another has to do with criminal classifications and sentencing guidelines for those who are convicted of crimes connected to sexual assault of children, child pornography, voyeurism, and pedophilia. Most folks feel the state-mandated punishments are never enough, and while “Dead Pedophiles Don’t Reoffend” may sound extreme to some, those same folks believe their suggested death penalty is more appropriate than what’s actually dished out.
That’s why we shouldn’t expect those protestors to disappear anytime soon.
