IN- Should convicted drug dealers be ordered to register like sex offenders?

Sure drug crimes should, and so should murderers, robbers, car thieves, domestic violence, and any other crime; each should have its own registry. Now, as to the remaining folks, they must be made to swear under oath, they have never committed a crime since birth, anyone refusing, well thats another registry! All those registries should keep the police so busy they don't have time to fight crime, thats keeps everyone employed; a stimulus program.

11-6-2009 Indiana:

Bob B. of Valparaiso claims he lives next door to a convicted drug dealer who is allegedly dealing and using again, but there's nothing he can do, he says.

"We are afraid. And we have been instructed by the local police to report anything the least bit suspicious," Bob said. "Yet legally, there is nothing we can do."

Bob and his wife have lived in their home for 22 years, and they're tempted to move.

"However, we like our house and have put in a lot of work over the years. Morally, how do you sell a house to someone knowing what kind of neighbors they would have? I have decided to stay and improve the neighborhood rather than flee. Do I have any assurances that my new neighbors would be better?"

He's also concerned for his neighbors.

"Next door to us is a couple with a 4-1/2 year old and a 15-month-old. Across the street is a widow, and beside her is a couple with five kids who enjoy playing outdoors. A popular park for very young children, Tower Park, is less than a block away and others in the neighborhood walk young ones by their house everyday," Bob told me.

The problem (and possible solution), he points out, is that convicted drug dealers do not have to register publicly as sex offenders do. Instead, he noted, "they are allowed to cut a deal, testify against others, and then return to the community... where innocent people live."

Bob's advice to others: "Ask everyone in their neighborhood if they know of a convicted drug dealer living in the area. Ask where you walk, jog, etc. We all need to know and we all need to keep our eyes wide open. Ask for their own safety."

"We have done nothing wrong, but are serving a sentence." ..Source.. by Jerry Davich