The Tennessee Sex Offender Registry is necessary but not something most think about very often, according to a few West Knoxville residents.
According to the TBI’s map offender search, there are 20 offenders within a two-mile radius of the Woodlands West apartment complex.
“I’ve never even looked at the registry. It’s not something I think about hardly ever. I think because I am a big man and don’t often feel victimized or feel like I should watch my back,” said Adam Eichelberger “So I am slightly surprised to learn about the offenders that live nearby.”
Eichelberger is a UT student who lives in West Knoxville at the Woodlands West apartment complex.
West Knoxville resident Connor McCallum, who also lives in the same complex as Eichelberger, was surprised by the number of offenders in a two-mile radius of his home.
“I think the registry is a good thing to have because if I was moving somewhere with my small children, I would want to know about the people living by us,” said McCallum.
Eichelberger thinks the registry is a good thing for the sake of transparency in the communities, but he also has a some reservations about it.
“I think it is a little unfair for the offenders maybe because they cannot escape their crimes even after they serve their time, but honestly, I don’t have any respect for sex offenders anyways,” said Eichelberger.
McCallum feels the registry is unfair to some people simply because of the type of offense they committed.
“It’s pretty awful that someone has to be registered as a sex offender for peeing outside [indecent exposure] because then every time they move somewhere they have to go door-to-door explaining who they are and why,” said McCallum.
The offenses listed on the registry include:
- Sexual battery
- Statutory rape
- Aggravated prostitution
- Sexual exploitation of a minor
- Indecent exposure upon a third or subsequent conviction
- Spousal sexual battery
Both Eichelberger and McCallum have never looked at the list nor have they been notified of any offenders living near them at any point in their lives.
More information can be found about the law at: https://www.tn.gov/assets/entities/tbi/attachments/2014%20Sex%20Offender%20Law.pdf
More information about the registry and a list of offenders can be found at: https://www.tn.gov/tbi/topic/sex-offender-registry-search
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