Vocal Point : Why do we tolerate predators on our block?

In the fictional world of “Batman Begins,” Henri Ducard is a member of The League of Shadows and a merciless vigilante where criminals are concerned. The movie’s writers gave this character several nuggets of truth when defining villains.

Ducard’s words floated through my mind when I read that another sex offender moved into the Spokane Valley. These predators exist at the bottom of the crime cesspool and are then released into our communities like a sewage spill.

The Washington State Sex Offender Information Center Web site (http://ml.waspc.org/) recommends parents remain calm when discussing with kids the filth among them. Advice includes: “don’t accept a ride from the offender; don’t go into the home or yard of the offender; tell your parents if this person offers you toys, money or gifts; try to use the buddy system when children play outdoors; call 911 if your parents aren’t home and you’re approached by this offender.”

I’m confused. Why do law-abiding citizens have to be on predator patrol? Why must kids live with a threat in their neighborhood? Why do we tolerate this?

These questions stream through my mind with increasing intensity and with good reason. The news is full of crime stories, but the ones that involve convicted and released sex offenders who have “re-offended” rips the trust out of a community, leaving fear, shame and a vicious circle of anger in its wake.

The Web site tells me there are four Level II sex offenders and one Level III sex offender living within three miles of my home. There also are schools and day cares within this three-mile radius.

The Web site says Level II sex offenders “present a moderate risk to the community because of the nature of their previous crimes and lifestyle … some have refused to participate or failed to complete approved programs.”

Level III sex offenders “pose a potential high risk to the community and are a threat to re-offend if provided the opportunity. Most have prior sex crime convictions as well as other criminal convictions. Their lifestyles and choices place them in this classification. Some have predatory characteristics and may seek out victims. They may have refused or failed to complete approved treatment programs.”

It feels like the public is being sucker-punched when released offenders “refused or failed to complete approved treatment programs.” Let me get this straight, this slime committed a despicable crime, did time on my dime and is now free to commit more crime? And we tolerate this?

“Criminals mock society’s laws,” Ducard said in “Batman Begins.”

In the great scheme of laws and their makers, compassion and second chances have become the dynamic duo for sex offenders, but these noble intentions quickly erode when the news reports one more sexual predator has been released into the community and a few months later another person becomes a victim of these re-offenders. There is no argument strong or sound enough to allow these predators to live among our children.

How long does compassion last? How many second chances are given? What do we do about the Joseph Duncans of the world?

“There are those without decency who must be fought without thought, without hesitation.” Henri Ducard, “Batman Begins.”

Words of fiction or words of truth? You tell me.