There are over 50 sexual offenders living within a three mile radius of UNC Wilmington's campus; nine live on Racine Drive alone.                        

Universities are areas of a city that sexual offenders are not banned from, including the land around and close to campuses.  Communities across the nation have successfully banned sexual predators from areas frequently populated by children; 23 states have banned them within certain vicinity (based on state law) around elementary schools and playgrounds.

It is difficult for paroled sexual offenders to find a place to live-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.  However, it is easier to find a place to live around college campus. Economically, the rent is more variable and the landlords are more willing to take that safety risk.

UNCW Chief of Police, David Donaldson assured the UNCW police are doing all within their jurisdiction to prevent dangerous occurrences.

"I don't believe North Carolina has addressed any restrictions for sexual offenders on campus," Donaldson said. "I also have not been notified of a registered sexual offender on UNCW's campus. However we are here to help with any issues that arise."

In 1990, the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act was signed, stating students and faculty can see crime statistics and data for their university among request. In other words, universities must provide their community with a list of sexual offenders, if asked.

According to North Carolina General Statute 14-208, each convicted sexual predator is required to register at their local sheriff's department and notify their workplace or university of their sexual offender title.  Registration includes their full name, alias, date of birth, sex, race, height, weight, eye color, hair color, driver's license number, and home address.

Often the information is available but not publicized, so if students want to know if sexual offenders are in residence around them, they check on their own accord. Several universities have sexual registry sites stating offenders attending school on their campus or in close vicinity. 

 "Safety is my first and most important issue when choosing housing", said UNCW student, Alexa Sterling, "People should really be notified of what type of people they are living and attending school with."

Currently, no universities in North Carolina are pushing for sexual predators to be banned from college campuses. In addition, UNCW has no registered sexual offenders living on campus. However, with the sexual predator rate in the state at 19,631 and counting, it is always within good reason to stay aware of your surroundings.