Enact offender registry

Toledo Blade: A violent offender registry proposed by state Sens. Randy Gardner and Cliff Hite is not a panacea for all violent crime in Ohio, but it is a potential tool for saving lives.

The case that sparked the bill was the murder of Metamora’s Sierah Joughin in July. She was riding her bike in rural Fulton County when she was abducted. James D. Worley of Delta is facing multiple charges related to Ms. Joughin’s murder.

He had previously been convicted of abduction in a separate case 26 years ago.

The purpose of a registry is to let residents know when someone with a violent past is living nearby. Five other states, including Indiana, have implemented them.

The fact is that there is no quantifiable way to determine whether other violent offender registries have been effective.

But if it saves even one life, it is worth enacting.