I need to rent an apartment in the LA area. I found an apartment that has everything I like except that I just found out there’s a registered sex offender in that very apartment (looked up crime-maps). It’s a 5-unit and based on his apartment #, I’m pretty sure he’d be my neighbor. He’s a 60 year old Hispanic man who’s guilty of “LEWD OR LASCIVIOUS ACTS WITH A CHILD UNDER 14 YEARS OF AGE BY FORCE OR FEAR” Is this a legitimate concern? Even though I know that I’ll probably be safe because I’m a single guy, I have a deep moral problem with this. I don’t know if I could even stand looking at him in passing, like in the laundry room, or to my car. I haven’t signed a lease yet so I could always back out easily. The main problem is telling my family about this - They think I'm wishy-washy in deciding and I don't want them to think this is another excuse or that I'm too sensitive. Would YOU rent an apartment knowing your unit-neighbor is a registered sex offender? I know it would probably never be a problem, but I still feel uncomfortable about this. I need some advice from you smart guys. Thanks!!
It would depend on the charge. For the “LEWD OR LASCIVIOUS ACTS WITH A CHILD UNDER 14 YEARS OF AGE BY FORCE OR FEAR” I wouldn't rent there. If it was someone who gotten arrested for having consensual sex with his 17 year old girlfriend when he was 18, no problem.
. Is it a two bedroom, two bath or would you share a bedroom and/or bathroom? I'd be more creeped out about the common laundry and ALL the neighbors. Just the guy Prius owners? And why would you ask a bunch of Prius owners in the first place?
I'd be more concerned about the un-registered perverts in all the rest of the apartments... at least you know you aren't on the RSO's menu.
No no no. It's a 1BR/1BA. And my unit would be next to his. But I'd see him on the premises. Girls can answer too of course. Anyways, I think I'm going to drop this place. I actually JUST received a phone call of an available unit at another apartment I liked more. And no RSOs!! Yay! Thanks all...
Yes, I would. I'm a man and I don't have children. I'd be more concerned about living next to a thief. In fact, if your situation means they aren't a threat to you, by taking an apartment there you'd be leaving an apartment farther away from a sex offender available to somebody with children.
Sure, no problem, I'm not 14, might be interested in the exact situation that made in a RSO, but other then that, I'd actually feel a little safer, he is probably home a lot. and would notice strangers.
That would be a very sensitive question to the residents of Happy Valley. RealClearSports - Plenty Blame to Share at Unhappy Valley
If the apartment was a great deal I'd consider it. However, I'm such a jerk that I'd make sure everyone in the entire apartment complex knew about his conviction with the hope that he'd move. The Freedom of Information Act is a wonderful tool. If the apartment wasn't a great deal, I'd find another place.
let's not discount the possibility that some 14 year old just didn't like the man. maybe he was her teacher and she failed his class so she sought revenge. happens all the time. but, odds are he's guilty. i don't think it's a big deal if you don't have a wife and kids there. at the first sign of trouble, i'd make it clear to him that if he ever crosses the line, he'll be a dead man walking.
Critter - If he pleaded guilty or was found guilty, that tells me he's guilty. We have one pervert in my neighborhood. He moved in after I bought the place but our neighborhood watch, watches him like a hawk. A couple that lives closer clued him in that the whole neighborhood is aware. He doesn't bother us and we don't bother him. Every kid in the neighborhood has been told by their parent to stay away from that house. I felt very unnerved at first because I have a young daughter who often has friends over but he's been here over a year and no trouble.
As an able-bodied adult male without minor children in the household, this guy would hardly raise a concern on my threat radar. Bigger concerns are the many drivers with temper control problems, the guy five blocks away who my jury panel convicted (he also shops at the nearest grocery store), and the far more numerous folks one of my siblings has crossed paths with in the courtroom. At least you know who he is. He is vastly outnumbered by other offenders never convicted, or convicted of non-notification but still serious crimes. While I dislike any crooks in the neighborhood, they have to live somewhere, and their numbers are so large that they simply won't fit under the available bridges. And continually pushing them out of whatever honest housing and employment they find, and away from whatever family support remains, makes it impossible for them to live any sort of existence by non-criminal means. Even without any compassion whatsoever, we simply cannot afford the consequences to us of treating them as sub-human. There is no real alternative but to live with them, so make the best of it. At least you know who this one is.
It depends on your life goals. If you plan on having kids in the near future, then it wouldn't be the best idea. If you're gay, staying single and/or childless, then having him as your neighbor will be a good thing because: A) he's likely trying to stay out of trouble and just wants to be left alone B) isn't ever going to be "on your radar" C) you can expect to not have any loud children running about! Pushing your morality upon him isn't going to make you a better person, or make him "go away" just because you're irrationally scared. He's not a threat to you personally. I'd take comfort in the fact he's just a 1-time perv and not marinating on serial killer thoughts, which could very well be everyone at the next building. For all we know, he was urinating in public and a child saw him, and voila, you know how out of context our judicial system can be.
Which makes him "guilty". When you enter a plea of guilty you tell everyone that you did it regardless of the deal. You felt you would lose in court.
