Contrast: Burr Supports National Sex Offender Registry, Ross Opposed NC Registry | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Raleigh, NC     With support from Senator Burr, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the reauthorization of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, which helps protect children from sexual predators. Senator Burr applauded the bill saying, "This legislation, which continues the National Sex Offender Registry, ensures that law enforcement agents have the tools they need to keep track of the depraved individuals who prey on children so that they do not have the opportunity to reoffend."

    Burr's support for this measure is in stark contrast with Deborah Ross' record as the Chief Lobbyist for the ACLU where she opposed the creation of a state sex offender registry. In a recent interview, Ross grossly mischaracterized her record and even went so far as to say, "My record of keeping children and families safe is impeccable."

"Deborah Ross is twisting herself in knots trying to explain away her advocacy for sex offenders. While Senator Burr works to protect North Carolina families from these dangerous predators, Deborah Ross is curiously describing her record as 'impeccable,' despite her steadfast opposition to creating a sex offender registry."

    Background:

• In 1995, Ross Criticized The Creation Of A Sex Offender Registry Saying The Bill, "Would Make It Even Harder For People To Reintegrate Into Society And Start Over And Could Lead To Vigilantism." (Deborah Ross Memo To The Legislative Committee Of The ACLU-NC, 8/4/95)
• Ross Said "There Are Serious Concerns About What People Do With This Information" And Warned Of "Vigilantism." "At the same time, a registry this public could pose a threat to the idea of community itself. 'There are serious concerns about what people do with this information,' says Deborah Ross, director of the North Carolina affiliate of the ACLU. 'There's no oversight, and there's no specific rules about how to use it--that's where we will get into the problems of improper identification and vigilantism.'" (Austin Bunn, "Digitizing Megan's Law," The Village Voice, 4/21/98)
• Ross Said "One Would Hope That Law Enforcement Would Enforce The Law Against Vigilantes And Harassers Of Sex Offenders As Much As They Do Against Sex Offenders Themselves." "The passing of Megan's Law drew critical attention to the risks of violence against children, but online registries like North Carolina's walk a fine line between civic duty and 'exploiting paranoia,' says the ACLU's Ross. 'One would hope that law enforcement would enforce the law against vigilantes and harassers of sex offenders as much as they do against sex offenders themselves.' But with their past on public display, it's hard to believe these offenders will ever be granted the gift of privacy." (Austin Bunn, "Digitizing Megan's Law," The Village Voice, 4/21/98)

• Contact: Jesse Hunt
•     jhunt@burrforsenate.com