While sexual offense has become a more prevalent problem in the United States, offenders try to find one of the only places they can call home: near college campuses.

 

                Many communities across the nation have successfully banned sexual predators from areas frequently populated by children. 23 states have banned them within certain vicinity around elementary schools and playgrounds.  However there is one area that has yet to ban their stay, U.S. universities.

               

                There is often a degree of difficulty for paroled sexual offenders to find a place to stay. It can be a risk for a landlord to offer them a lease, and with a criminal record it is challenging to find a job.  These problems cease among areas close to college campuses. The rent is cheaper and the landlords are more willing to take that safety risk. One of the first colleges to attempt to ban sexual offenders near a college campus was the University of Washington in 2008. The ban did not go through, but the university was still able to boot 13 tenants with a past of sexual offenses. They were the first to attempt a barrier zone in which paroled offenders could not pass.  

 

                “Safety is my first and most important issue when choosing housing”, said UNCW student Alexa Sterling, “I don’t want to live next to a sexual predator”.

 

                The University of Chapel-Hill has 14 sexual offenders within a five mile radius. North Carolina State University has around 50 within a three mile radius. Duke University tops each with 70 plus sexual offenders within a three mile radius of their campus. Unfortunately UNC-Wilmington is no better.

 

                Within a mile radius of our school, there are 15 paroled sexual offenders. With the addition of two more miles, 15 offenders turns into 50 plus. There are 9 offenders on Racine Drive a five minute walk from the water tower, with charges of sexual offense with minors. UNCW Chief of Police, David Donaldson assures this is under control.

 

“I’ll be interviewing him on Monday, according to an email he sent me Emily”, said Donaldson

 

In 1990 the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act was signed stating new safety laws for college campuses. This act stated students and faculty can see crime statistics and data for their university among request. Universities must provide their community with a list of sexual offenders, if asked.

 

Currently, no universities in North Carolina are pushing for sexual predators banned from college campuses. However with the sexual predator rate in the state at 19,631 and counting, it is within good reason to stay aware of your surroundings.