NC organization calls for sex offenders to be allowed at State Fair
A group that advocates on behalf of registered sex offenders is calling on North Carolina officials to allow people listed on the sex offender registry to be able to attend the State Fair.
A 2016 law passed by the General Assembly bars registered sex offenders from the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh as well as any other fairground in the state during an agricultural fair. This year’s State Fair will be held Oct. 17-27.
North Carolinians for Rational Sexual Offense Laws, based in Raleigh, said in a statement that public safety resources are “being wasted” by tracking sex offenders, arguing more resources should go toward threats like Legionnaires’ disease.
North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services said 124 cases of Legionnaires' disease and Pontiac fever were contracted at the Mountain State Fair and are likely linked to a hot tub exhibit at the event.
Under North Carolina law, registered sex offenders cannot be on the premise of a place that’s intended primarily for minors or minors’ care, like schools and playgrounds, and places where minors frequently gather when minors are present, like amusement parks and swimming pools.
Registered sex offenders cannot be within 300 feet of a place intended for minors or minors’ care when it’s located somewhere that’s not intended for such use, like shopping centers.
Robin Vander Wall, NCRSOL’s founder and president, said in a statement that barring sex offenders from fairs is a “feel-good” law that harasses sex offenders who have completed their sentences and gives public support to sheriffs.
