In a world of first, second, and third, warnings, parole for murderers and televisions in prisons, we are glad to hear Calera is cracking down on convicted sex offenders.

Sure, it&8217;s easy to say we believe in second chances for some criminals, but when it comes to our children, we should be keeping them safe, no excuses.

Calera actually gets that it is perfectly okay to protect children at all measure, even if it means stepping on some toes or making life a little more difficult for sex offenders.

Good for you.

The new ordinances Calera has passed prevents convicted sex offenders from living or working within one mile of schools, licensed day-cares or playgrounds. It also requires that offenders maintain a 2,000 distance from all of those places, and violators can be fined as much as $500 and sentenced to up to six months in jail.

This isn&8217;t a harsh ordinance; it&8217;s a necessary one.

We look at these restrictions, and it sheds light on how little the state is doing to protect our children. They are not stepping up to the plate to protect them – they have instead delegated that responsibility to the counties and cities.

Now, we must take action and responsibility. Cities, like Calera, should be setting an example to the state for what measures of caution the young and innocent deserve.

Convicted sex offenders made choices and acted upon them. They must pay the full consequences for people and children they have hurt, as we all do for mistakes we make.