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Sadly, the days are gone when the man or woman next door was just a good neighbor.

It doesn’t seem that long ago when those either next door or throughout the neighborhood shared the same goals: being responsible to family and employer. That description has become an idyllic dream.

These days, the person next door could very well be a predator. In the good news department, though, we can learn the identity and circumstances surrounding that individual — including the criminal history that led to the oh-so-public disclosure.

A visit Monday to the Virginia State Police website, http://www.vsp.state.va.us/, revealed a listing for 57 offenders in Mechanicsville on the Sex Offender Registry. Parents should check out this registry. Residence requirements apparently have changed since registering as a sex offender became a mandatory condition. In other words, there could be a registered sex offender living near a school.

We should all take the time to become acquainted with the State Police website — and carefully review the photos, names and information on those listed on the Sex Offender Registry.

Hanover County residents are fortunate to have a strong law enforcement presence with the State Police and Sheriff’s Office. We can help them though by educating ourselves on what is going on in our communities.

Should you find a sex offender in your neighborhood, keep in mind that harassing and intimidating acts are not the answer — and they aren’t legal. If there’s a problem, contact the authorities.

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