by Rosana Modugno

Created on: February 17, 2009   Last Updated: March 06, 2009

Parents, it's time to be realistic. There are predators out there who want to hurt your children and now more than ever, you should know what's going on with your child at all times. It doesn't matter how old they are. If they are living with you, it is your responsibility. Know where they go, whom they are with, whom they know (get contact names and numbers). Lucky for you, there are tools to keep you informed, along with websites that access where these predators live and work. It's public record and access is available for you so take advantage of it.

One of my favorite websites is Family Watchdog; www.familywatchdog.us/

You can put in your address, or the address of your child's school or friend's houses, and it will show you a list of sexual predators that live and work in your area, including their pictures, charges, their home and work addresses. Remember these are registered offenders. That means that they voluntarily registered themselves and there are some out there who have not. Check your local law enforcement agency.

Here is a list of things that has probably been overlooked for some of you:

BIKINI CAR WASHES

Car washes in Florida are very popular and common. It's not rare to see very young girls from ages 8 through 16 wearing skimpy bikinis on the side of the road and even major highways waving signs for a free car wash. When I first moved to the Tampa Bay area, I was appalled at how no one else saw how dangerous this was. Sometimes these girls were alone, while some even had their mothers with them, also wearing bikinis.

I would see them every day on different corners and wondered what they talk about while they wash the patrons cars, so I decided to investigate and went in for a car wash. Not only did they tell me their names, ages and where they lived, they also told me what schools they go to, family pets they have, and living situations. One girl told me how her parents divorced and she lives alone with her mother. Putting myself in predator's shoes, I could now easily follow these girls home, armed now with knowing their names, and their living arrangements, etc.

Before I left, I spoke to one of the mothers, who seemed angered that I told her she is putting her daughters in danger. But I never saw them again after that. I hope she listened.

FAMILY CAR STICKERS

Why would anyone place stickers on the back of their windows, telling the entire world the names of their children, how many children they have, along with pets, etc? Am I the only one that

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>