When the new neighbor is a sex offender

A few years ago, a registered sex offender moved into a rental home within two miles of my house and on my regular walking and running route. A number of friends called to let me know and word passed throughout the neighborhood. I felt a sense of relief at knowing, which quickly was replaced by a sense of confusion and discomfort. What was I supposed to do with the information?

I discussed the issue with my children, and mentioned it to families I knew whose children might pass by the home. Beyond that, I found myself simply staring at the house with unease and suspicion -- taking note of the cars in the driveway, how tightly the blinds were closed in the house, even glancing suspiciously at the garbage left on the curb on trash day. I never altered my path, but if my feelings could have been beamed into the house, the renter would surely have felt a cold draft of scrutiny and distance. Even now, long after the man moved away, I still think of the house as the "sex offender's house" and sometimes quicken my pace as I pass it.

I wonder if there isn't a better way to deal with such a situation -- specific information that would keep nearby families safer or (and maybe this is wishful thinking) make it less likely that the offender would reoffend. Simply creating fear and distrust hardly seems like the best "notification" system.