To the editor:

The village of East Palestine is committed to revitalizing our community. The plans are amazing and I am proud of the efforts of so many striving for a better future. However, in the midst of all of this I must call to light my ongoing concern for the sex sting operations drawing offenders to our community.

Numerous years ago, the Columbiana County Prosecutors Office was approached about creating a local pedophile sting program. We were against it. Reason being that when a pedophile takes the planning, money and effort to travel to meet his “prize” there is a lot of deep desire and fantasy built up. If they are not caught, get spooked and at last minute do not show at designated location…well any other minor may do ( in their preferred age range). This then becomes an opportunist response and a true victim may be found.

Ok, so if they are caught and press releases are made and high fives given around the table, what have we accomplished by compromising our community? Do you think they go away for life? Do you think being listed as a registered sex offender will stop them from reoffending? The answers are no and no.

The rehabilitation must be intense and lifelong. They have had many victims by the time they are caught and extremely likely they will have more once released. The sting has briefly, very briefly for many, interrupted their behavior. And the town or village where they are caught begins to gain a negative status in the eyes of others. Sure looks like that place is a cesspool of pedophiles.

And if one evades the police once here or causes a high speed chase or accident…the risk is not worth it!

So I ask those in charge of such programs, please consider the local safety of our younger citizens as well as the light you are placing us in when the press releases once again indicate our small village being involved. We want our community to prosper and grow and be safe for all. Pride, Tradition, Progress.

BETTINA DILWORTH,

East Palestine