BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Commissioners in Bladen County discussed adding a fine to the punishment for sex offenders who are caught visiting county parks Monday night. Deciding against that, they voted to put up warning signs.
According to parks director Grant Pait, a general statue already restricts sex offenders from going into parks.
Right now, the state only punishes offenders with jail time.
"You can never be too safe when it comes to children and if we can keep them out of our parks that is what our intent is to do," said Capt. Rodney Hester with the Bladen County Sheriff's Office.
Hester said a lot of people don't even realize sex offenders aren't allowed on park grounds.
"The bottom line is we are looking out for the people in Bladen County," said county commissioner James Smith.
Smith supports the ordinance and think it would help keep predators out of the park.
Officials expect signs will be put up
in the next couple weeks.
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