Schools take spotting sex offenders seriously

That is, of course, unless you live in my school district. You see in my school district they allow sexual predators to festivals, assembleys, concerts, games, etc. What about your school district?

A parent at Woodland Elementary School in Edwardsville spotted a registered sex offender attending a carnival at the school March 28.

The parent notified police, who on Tuesday arrested Michael E. Cox, 40, of 445 E. Main St. in East Alton, on charges of unlawful presence in a school zone by a sex offender.

Because in the state of Illinois it is against the law for sex offenders of any status to be on school grounds. Kinda smart, eh?

While there is no indication Cox had contact with any other children, the case raises new questions about what steps school districts should take to make sure buildings are out of reach of registered sex offenders, which by state law are required to stay at least 500 feet away from schools.