I almost didn’t sign the lease. After writing my last post I realized I hadn’t checked for registered sex offenders in the area, so I took a quick look online and found one of the complex’s residents had a record.

While this individual was listed as ‘low risk,’ I wanted to know more about the situation so I paid for a quick public domains record search, and found some additional not-so-attractive details. The next morning I called the property manager’s office and asked if this person still resided on the premises, and explained my concerns. The management said they would look into the issue, and called me back later to let me know the tenant’s lease ends a few weeks after I move in, and that the lease would not be renewed. With that reassurance I signed the lease and paid the security deposit.

The whole thing bothers my liberal soul. The sex offenders program exists for very good reasons, but it’s also a flawed system. After all, two teenagers engaging in consensual sex could end up on the list since they’re both minors. How great a system is that? Additionally, only a small percentage of sex crimes are reported, so I’m probably living near an unknown sex offender at this moment.

And what does it say about me as a person, that I’m afraid of low risk odds? That I’m afraid of someone I’ve never met? That my phone call may have cost someone their lease renewal, and forced someone into a financially difficult move?

My (flimsy) justification is two-fold. The felon was 30 when the incident happened, so childish ignorance isn’t a factor, especially when combined with the other activity I found. I also feel that if a low-risk felon moved into a community where I already had a lease I’d probably live with it, hope to be left in peace, and reassess when my lease expires. And maybe buy a better alarm system. But in this case I would be deliberately placing myself in (potential) harm’s way. The healthiest choice would be to avoid the solution if possible.

This issue has left a sour taste in my mouth. At least I have packing to distract me.