Do you think sex offenders should be allowed to be first responders?

why not? he's not teacher,daycare worker.etc.felons need to be allowed back in the workforce so they can learn to be law binding citizen.prisons are already over crowd.depending on what crime,should determine what job a felon can do.Everyone is quick to point out others wrong doing's but not there own.

I'M A FIREFIGHTER WITH THE CITY OF GREENVILLE, I FEEL IT WOULD BE A DISGRACE TO THE DEPT. AND THE CITIZENS OF GREENVILLE AND PITT COUNTY TO ALLOW A SEX OFFENDER TO HOLD ANY POSITION IN THE FIRE SERVICE. THIS IS A CAREER WERE MORALS, VALUES AND PRIDE STILL MATTER. WE WORK WITH YOUNG CHILDREN TO MAKE A DIFFERENT IN THEIR LIVES AND THEIR FUTURE. BEING A FIREFIGHTER IS ABOUT BEING A POSITIVE EXAMPLE.

You shouldn't have to be a firefighter to be a good example. Everyone should be a good example. This man was VOTED onto a department. The majority of the department felt that he could represent the department in a positive manner. He has paid for what he has done in the judicial system. Why should that be held against him. He is a VOLUNTEER not a paid professional. What would you rather this man do sit at home behind closed doors and be reminded of his past. I commend this man for getting out in the community and doing what he obviously has a passion for, to be a volunteer who can put his life on the line for others and quite possibly pay the ultimate price at the cost of others. Red Oak is a great department run by a group of very capable members and administration. If they felt he could not represent the department and be a positive contribution I guarantee they would have not VOTED him back onto the department. There are no laws that prevent this man from serving on this department. Red Oak has an excellent reputation in its community and split second response times because of this man's service. Red Oaks district will have a decrease in insurance rate's because of this. So why condemn this man for his POSITIVE contribution to the community????

I am appalled at some of the careless attitudes about this matter! I thought the main objective of any fire department was to PROTECT the community they serve. Just how does allowing someone who is a convicted sex offender contribute to that purpose, especially one charged with indecent liberties with a MINOR? I believe people make mistakes however, there are some crimes that just can’t be forgotten, forgiven yes, but not forgotten.

To truly forgive is to forget.

Absolutely. If it required a clean criminal history (and that includes traffic tickets) to be a volunteer in an organization then we would have none. Red Oak fire department is one of the finest I have seen and Robert as been there as far back as I can remember. I think you guys should do your research before you bring up OLD charges. Tell the public what really happened... isn't that your job? Also, not pointing any fingers but do your digging... there are several other members of Pitt County fire dept that also have offenders on their roster for, in my opinion, much worse crimes. All you guys did was pull a rap sheet. Anyone is capable of doing that and it is NOT news in any way. Robert is a great guy and if you did your homework you would know this is no "breaking news" it's not news at all. How about pull his volunteer hours, or his training hours, or maybe counts the lives he's assisted in saving. Is that worth this story. Good idea... let's start attacking our oublic service providers for their mistakes and not take into account ANY of the benefit society has reaped from them. In my opinion this question and this story is ludacris.

For CD Rouse and Citizen X - I guess you two are perfect. Have you ever thought about what was being reported was inaccurate.
Minor in this case was in a bar drinking alcohol - so evidently she had an ID that showed she was of age.

I completely and udderly agree with the comment "member" left. How can you live with yourselves digging up old dirt on a man that has served his community for so long. Why don't you learn who the real robert oneal is before you start downing him for his past mistakes. Please tell me that you dont think everyone in life is perfect, and please tell me you dont think you are perfect. So what should we do as a community start digging up dirt on our news reporters?? This man has given so much to the fire department and he has worked his tail off to provide for his "FAMILY," which involves guess what a CHILD....that he loves more than anything on earth!! And another thing red oak fire department is one of the best fire departments in pitt county. They are a very organized department and they strive to make sure that all of their members are properly trained before they even think about allowing them to fight for someone else's lives!! Tell me that if your house is on fire are you gunna pick and choose who you want to put that fire out and get you outta your burning house?? I think not so how bout have all your facts straight next time you down someone like that and involve his volunteer fire department!!! ****Remember fire fighters are like a big family, when you hurt one you hurt them all.***

its really stupied that people are bringing up this whole thing again. the past is the past and he did his time and that is done. what if your house is burning down and you can't get out, if robert comes in first , are you going to stop him from saving your life just because of his past . what are you going to do for now on, ask every firefighter that comes to your house when you need them , you going to stop them and ask them are they a sex offender . if you do you really have problems. they past is the past and you can't change it, so people should just leave the whole thing alone !!!! find other better things to do.!!!!

Number one, C.D. Rouse (David) you are an idiot for speeking about something you know nothing about and I hope everyone boycotts your store in winterville! Number two thank you WNCT for reporting a story and not telling the whole story and for that matter throwing one of your reporters under the buss while you were at it. I bet he felt great about the position you put him in. As for you Citizen X and your comment and I quote "I thought the main objective of any fire department was to PROTECT the community they serve. Just how does allowing someone who is a convicted sex offender contribute to that purpose?" How about the fact that Mr. O'Neal was the first to arrive and start CPR at the house his correction officer who worked at the jail he was housed in lived! Does that answer your question. And finally, how about WNCT as well as C.D. Rouse, Citizen X , and any others who want to cast the first stone, check the public records of the court procedings and see that Mr. O'neal was screwed by the court system. But I guess only real reporters and respectable news agencies would do that. I mean the girl was 17 almost 18 with a 21 year old ID in a bar downtown. A few more months and we wouldn't be here today with shotty news reporting and "perfect" citizens waiting to cast the first stone.

I support you Mr. O'Neal and thank you for all you have done for our communtiy. If only I could say that the local news and other citizens had done as much.

Well back to the fair and accurate news of WCTI or WITN , either way they wont through you under the bus!!!!!!!

nine on your side.... that's a joke!! You need to state the facts that this MAN has the HIGHEST number of training hours, responded to the HIGHEST number of calls of any member of Red Oak Fire Dept. Robert has helped Red Oak reach a better insurance rating, so we can save our citizens money on home owners insurance. Robert is devoted in helping his aging mother and family. This man has given more to his community in the last 20+ years than most people give in a lifetime. Think about the countless lives and property that have been saved by this man. THIS IS A MAN I TRUST WITH MY LIFE WHEN I ENTER A BURNING STRUCTURE. ROBERT is full of words like HONOR, DEDICATION, KNOWLEDGE, VALUE, PRIDE, and MORALS. He is a true fire fighter in heart and spirit. Robert has been a wonderful friend to me and now like a part of my family. He was there for me and my family when my dad died from a stroke. He came to the hospital that night. He offered to help us with anything we needed. He has come seen me when I wrecked my car. He has stopped into see others in their times of need. Robert is there for anyone anytime and will never ask for one thing in return. He was railroaded in the court system, paid his debt to them and now still wants to help the people that he lives and works with and around daily. I commend people like him and the rest of us volunteers. We do the same job that paid fire fighters do without every expecting a dime... Most of the time we don't even get a thank you. It is hard on us in these economic times to take time and money away from our family's to provide this service to our community. To you David Rouse and miss citizen you may want to do your homework first and you need not judge, I'm sure there is skeletons in your closet too. Oh and the city of greenville is no better. I know there has been some misconduct that has been over looked or swept under the biggest rug they could find. I hope in the future wnct will not disrupt Mr. O'Neals and his family's life. So called news reports like this hurts Robert, his family, the fire dept, and our community. We need to come together as a community and a nation to resolve things like our economic problems, nation-wide health care, and global-warming. These are the real issues that face us as a whole, not if some man is allowed to do the one thing that he loves to do help others! Miss Vesco I feel you owe Robert, his family, and Red Oak Fire an apologies for bring up an issue that has been resolved many years ago.

Ok.. Here's my view on the subject. I worked a volunteer FD for several years. To those of you talking about sex offender FFs only putting out fires.. this is not the case. especially in the small rural departments where it's tough to get volunteers. We had firefigters respond on every medical call as well. This gives offending firefighters the opportunity to enter the homes of community members and be privy to info about those households that they normally wouldn't know about. For instance.. would YOU want a sex offender firefighter who had been charged of raping an underage girl to be in your home with your beautiful 12 year old daughter who had just broken her leg, taking personal info on her for the run report? How about being the one doing a patient assesment on her? I think not. Also most parents admonish their children to beware of "bad" people who may want to do them harm. What happens when the "bad" people show up at your home when their pager goes off? This actually happened in our town. The parents involved were none too happy about it as you can imagine. When their family moved to town they looked up the local offender registry and showed the kids who they needed to be careful around. Within a couple of months there was an emergency situation and the EMTs were called. The kids were upset with the situation as it was but when the first person on scene was recognized by the children as someone from the list they were terrified.
These people are in a position of trust. Personally I think it should be against the law to be a firefighter/EMT if you are on that registry or have felonies.

You know, if I sit at a computer and look for people on the sex offender database i could find some people that I would recognize in ALL walks of life. Everyone has secrets, this is not a secret . This story was in the papers on ALL news channels FIVE YEARS AGO. You think that one has a second chance to become a person of value to society after something like this happens. That is just too simple. Robert is a FINE character, a FINE firefighter he is a father that has a family that he would die for, fire brethren I'm sure he would give his life for. But now because of this mistake that he can't live down because you the MEDIA and the PUBLIC won't let him. There is too many people in this world that judges a person when they themselves have secrets that pothers would be appalled to find out. WNCT this has got to be the lowest I have seen you go to get YOUR STORY. This was never kept a secret so you didn't BREAK A STORY. You only hurt a man and hi family. Allan Hoffman, I once looked up to you as a Great War Hero, I now see you as a reporter that will get a story no matter who you hurt, How would you feel if this was YOU?

The minor, so called, was just shy of 18 and in a bar drinking as I previosly wrote. Communicating threats was after his then fiancé burned his arm with a cigarette and should I start naming local officials who have had sex with a prostitute behind The Carpet Bargain on Dickerson Avenue. Someone may want to have WNCT pull this story and leave this man and his family alone. Why hasn't WNCT interview the so called victim and ask her if she was raped or was it consentual. I am sick of hearing this kind of crap I'm the news. WNCT get your facts before you ruin someone and their family again. Alan Hoffa should I embarrass you by telling the world you blew snot out of you nose at a funeral that I was attending, and it was right on front of me, I lost all respect for you back then so I had none to lose from your shotty reporting yesterday.

im not saying this guy should be tarred and feather, but hey, he broke the law, and not just a simple speeding ticket. my understanding is he was 33 when the crime occurred and the vitim(yes, victim)was a MINOR and i dont care how "old" she looked or if she was where she shouldnt have been, he still broke the law. as far as him being a first responder, no, i dont want him responding to my home with my 17 year old daughter there...and any of you defending him shouldnt either....you guys are the ones(red oak)who said nobody with a felony can be a member....

Unbelievable WNCT! 5 years later and you want to drag this guy thru the mud. He has busted his butt to move forward. What do you think you are trying to accomplish? Mr. Rouse I understand that you are a christian. Where is forgiveness? Don't you love the sinner and condemn the sin? Looks like ya'll are trying to persecute this man again or hang him. Throw him under the bus and back up and run over him again. Laura Vesco I hope you can live with your perfect self.

one other point, you talked about interviewing the witness and seeing if it was consentual....NCGS 14-27(consent is not an defense)

Charlie, you my good friend are an idiot, you dont know the facts of the case and if you were in his situation you would feel the same way...Since you want to throw out general statutes, how about the one where the victim is to be notified when a sex offender is released from prison....hmmmm according to the website no victim notified...oh maybe its because it was all BS charges to begin with. I am sure those guys (Red Oak) back there decisions and I am sure the reason Mr. O'Neal is there in the first place is prob because he is not a child predator in the first place.

As someone who has known Robert for many years, before this happened, during, and after, and not only knew him as a person passing on the street but actually was a very big part of his life and him mine. I think that this story is totally one sided. Robert was with me when my daughter and son were born, spent Christmas' together, and a major part of my life for quite a few years. If you are going to drag this story back out than you should get your facts straight. So let me tell you the facts. The 16 year old that he was charged with "offeneding" was not your normal 16 year old. I can say this because I knew the girl very well and know that she was very partial to older men to put it nicely. I seen this girl with many men twice her age and at the time thought myself that she was older than 16 and why would I think that because she told me that she was. I mean she didn't live at home with her parents where most 16 year old children live at, so why would I or any one else assume that she was lying about her age? When he says he didn't know that she was that young he is telling the truth because none of us knew that she was. She carried her self as someone who was older that 16 and was by no means a innocent victim in this. So when you are trying once again to ruin this mans life why not report the entire truth verses just what will make him look the worst. The entire truth is that this man is a wonderful, caring man who has given has entire life to support this community that we all live in and call home, to make it safe and to protect us. And on a more personal note this man who your news station has nothing good to say about, there are plenty of people who "KNOW" him and have nothing but great things to say. As for me he has always been there for me, is the closest thing to a father I have ever had, and would have at anytime given me or my children the shirt off his back. Like I said earlier I am a mother to 2 wonderful kids, my daughter is 10 years old I would at anytime without giving it a 2nd thought leave her with Robert and never question if it was the right thing to do, and I can say that because I know Robert and know that he would never hurt a child, this girl was not a child she was very aware of what she was doing. They both made a stupid mistake neither of them deserve to pay for it for the rest of their lives. Robert did his time, he did what was right to make up for the wrong now it is time for everyone else to leave the past in the past and let him live his life with his family. And just in a side thought how long can you keep broadcasting this before it gets out who this woman is now? It will come out sooner or later and than not only is it going to mess up Robert and his family's lives again but also hers and her family's. She is not a child anymore she is 24 years old and is married and has a child she is trying to raise is it fair to her, her husband, or their baby for this to come out and her name to be all over the internet and every where else? WHY DON"T YOU PEOPLE THINK ABOUT THE LIVES OF EVERYONE THAT YOU ARE GOING TO RUIN???? Find some news that is worth using the air time for and leave these people alone.

This is exactly why I do not watch Channel 9 News and read the newspaper. There have been several stories that I have had detailed information about and these stories were all reported incorrectly. After the 3rd story being reported incorrectly I could no longer watch Channel 9 News or read the newspaper because I felt I could no longer trust what was being reported, since I had known intimate details on the stories and knew first hand what was being reported was inaccurate.
I heard of this story from a friend and since I also know intimate details about this story I can't tell you and your viewers how appalled I am at such malicious reporting. If Laura Vesco had any investigating skills she might be dangerous herself.
I have known Mr. O'Neal for a long time and I am quite sure, as are all persons that have responded to her ignorant reporting are quite upset by this trashing of old news. I am sure whoever contacted WNCT has never done anything wrong or illegal in their life since he/she are the only perfect person in the world. I am sure Ms. Vesco could find something in their past since she is so good at digging up trash.
Getting back to Mr. O'Neal, he has done nothing but serve his community since 1983, finding and saving an infant from sure death during the tornadoes that hit Blackjack in 1894, rushing a little girl to PCMH with severe burns, etc, etc. I could go on and on, but there is not enough room. Evidently WNCT can't handle all the positive responses from the public on their website.
Mr. O'Neal made a few mistakes as have I and every person who is reading this. But he has done his time and he is tying to get his life back and make it have some kind of normalcy, since it was yanked from him and his family back in 2002. Does anyone think about what this type of reporting does to a family? He has a close family and I am sure this is upsetting to his elderly mom who is not well. I recently did an interview with a WNCT reporter and I am sadden by the fact that I feel it was a waste of time. Because I feel WNCT has lost even more viewers from this story.
Ms. Vesco you and WNCT say you do fair and accurate reporting and you investigate the story before it hits the air. I dare to say you interviewed any of the persons involved in his story. If you had you would see that there are inaccurate and inconsistent depositions given in Mr. O'Neal case. I would think if you had done you homework you would have reported a story on all the good Mr. O'Neal has done for his community and how he has been productive and been able to get his life back on track, which so many people are unable to do after learning the ways of the prison, that you would contact Governor Easley and ask for a pardon with all his repayment to the community.
Ms. Vesco, I have one question for you. If your house caught on fire and you had a child that you could not save and the first fire fighter to respond was a convicted felon and he saved your child's life, would you feel the same way? Or would you let the child burn to death because you knew the fire fighter was a felon but he was the first one on the scene and had the most experience, would you let him save your child's life. If you have children, you should not have to dig deep for your answer. Just picture yourself standing over the little casket of your precious child, and whishing someone had saved their live, FELON or NOT.
Maybe I need to take up investigative reporting. I am sure I could dig up some dirt on Ms. Vesco.
I hope you sleep well tonight, knowing of the wrong you have done to him and his family. You need to have the story pulled and issue an apology to him and his family for not doing a fail and accurate reporting.

first of all the facts can be viewed...go and obtain copies of search warrants, indictments, arrest warrants, or EVEN THE VIDEO TAPES OF HIM HAVING SEX WITH CALL GIRLS(ANOTHER CRIME WHICH HE PLED GUITLY TO) etc....believe me, they are there, i HAVE READ them....

as far "charlie" quoting general statues, hes right, defense isnt an issue...and to you "pitt resident", for you information, the victim does not have to be notified...you my friend(notice i didnt call you an idiot)need to read up on your law....its easy.... and as far as the case being BS....im sorry to tell you that video tapes dont lie!!!!!!

come on people....open your eyes....good guy or not....he is a registered sex offender....plain and simple....

to you appalled citizen and all other supporters, the guy broke the law, nobodys saying that he needs to be locked up forever...channel nine just asked if the public thinks he should be a first responder....thats all and vesco did her homework....unlike some of you people....

joe friday says it best....."just the facts mam"

Several years ago I was BLESSED to have had Mr. O'Neal be a 1st responder @ an accident that almost took my husband his life. Mr. O'Neals training & actions saved his life. I'm will always be FOREVER GRATEFUL to Mr. O'neal.
He even came by PCMH several times during my husband long stay to check on him. HOW MANY DO THAT? THIS IS SOMEONE WHO TRULY CARES FOR OTHERS & LIVES HIS JOB!!! When you or your loved one is laying there near deaths door you want the best available 1st responder. (THAT'S WHAT WE HAD) I don't think @ that moment in time you even truly care if this person has a record or not! ALL YOU WANT OR CAN PRAY FOR IS THAT THE PERSON HELPING YOU REALLY KNOWS & CARES ABOUT WHAT YOU NEED RIGHT THEN & THERE!! I even followed Mr. O'Neal case when he was arrested. I DON'T BELIEVE HE WAS TREATED FAIRLY & THAT ALL THE FACTS CAME OUT!! BUT, GIVE the MAN A BREAK PEOPLE HE DID HIS TIME!!! And Red OAk FD took him back as one of their own. These are the people who knew Mr. O'Neal before & after his arrest. I CAN ONLY PRAY THAT ANYONE WHO DOESN"T THINK MR. O'NEAL SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO KEEP HIS JOB----- NEVER NEEDS HIS GOD GIVEN TALENT AS BEING ONE OF THE BEST 1st RESPONDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been watching your coverage on the local firefighter who is a registered sex offender, I would have to say that I do understand both view points of this story!

NO!! I do not agree with what this man did, being a victim myself, He deserved to be punished. This crime is one that many don't take likely, and they shouldn't. But I do agree in second chances, and support and help to get better!! I believe people make mistakes and wrong choices, some out way more than others!! I do agree with someone changing!! I do agree with paying your debt to society. When the Fire Department voted to let him back on, I believe they took precautions, and probationary procedures when they allow him back. The chief said him self that one of these precautions was he wasn't allowed to go visit schools, or functions where children are involved right??

...If you don't believe in someone , then they won't believe in their self to change. If you do believe in them then they will...

I believe this is what Red Oak was thinking when they decided to let him back on.

Basically my viewpoint of the story is this....

If I were caught in a burning house and could not get out, I would not be thinking about who this person was who was risking their life to get me out alive.... or what they have done in their past. Do you think this man would be alone and do you honestly think he would have any thoughts of taking advantage of me (or minors) in a flaming burning house!! Yes it likely but not that likely!

If I were in a car accident, and I was trapped in overturned car leaking gas and the danger of the car exploding...I would not think twice about the man or woman who is tearing the car apart to get me out, or who is risking their life to save mine!!

I dont' know much about being a firefighter but I do know this...When a firefighter goes on a call, there are more than one of them there, they work as a team because one person can do this work alone. When there is a house fire, there is more than one firefighter there putting out the fire!! There is even more than on fire department there! When there is a car accident, there is more than one firefighter working to get the victims out!! The job that these men and women have takes all who is willing to serve, because not just anyone can do this!! Not just anyone can accept the responsibility. Or the guilt when you didn't get there in time, "If I just can a minuet sooner" When you have the call to serve, it takes everyone you can get because even that sometimes isn't enough help!

People are so quick to judge just because of a label one has to live with the rest of their life..don't get me wrong he deserves to be branded a sex offender, but when it comes to saying a life, It doesn't matter to me because most likely, at the time I won't even be thinking about what they have done prior to, but how they plan to save my life!!

This man could be the man to save your life or your wife's life, or your family!! Would it matter to you what he did several years ago, or what he was doing now...when your life needs to be saved??

I’m a fellow volunteer firefighter on another department in Pitt County. It’s pretty shocking to me that such an aristocratic department as Red Oak would be so irresponsible and allow someone with such a controversial criminal record to be a member. If we were to go back and search every member of every department we could find a few that would definitely raise some eyebrows. But a convicted sex offender? That’s raises the hair on my neck not just my eyebrows. And this guy gets paid too! We don’t have any PAID members on our department but if we did it sure as heck wouldn’t be a convicted criminal. I’ve read the comments on this page and I’m sure some Red Oak member(s) is going to have some less than friendly words to say in response to my opinion just like they have for every other person who has voiced the opinion that this guy doesn’t need to be a first responder. Go ahead. But instead to wasting your time threatening to boycott someone’s store, pledging not give the news crew an interview, discrediting a reporter for doing her job, or calling people idiots, how about calling a department meeting and coordinating a little PR. I think you owe the people in your district, you know…your tax base, an apology for all the negative exposure you’ve allowed to fall upon THEIR department.

WHAT ARE WE DOING? THIS MAN HAS PAID HIS DEWS. PEOPLE CAN CHANGE. MR. O'NEAL HAS DONE EVERYTHING THAT THE COURTS HAS ASKED OF HIM. LET IT LIE. THIS IS NOT HELPING HIS FAMILY. HIS MOTHER IS NOT IN THE BEST OF HEALTH, IF NOT FOR MR. O'NEAL BUT FOR HIS MOTHER, HIS WIFE AND CHILD. WE NEED TO GET ALL THE FACTS. I BET IF HE WASN'T DOING ALL THE VT WORK THAT HE HAS DONE, THAT HE MAY HAD A BETTER ATTORNEY, THAT WOULD WORK FOR HIM. I THINK THERE WOULD NOT HAD BEEN THIS REPORT. IF YOU HAVE SEEN THIS GIRL, YOU WOULD NOT HAVE THOUGHT THAT SHE WAS UNDER AGE.

I remember the times I have sat in church and listened to my priest speak of Forgiveness Service, and not judging others by there past. I have served in 2 wars now and have met the same enemy that I so hated. I have come to peace with my past and now have a good friend from the side I used to fight against. I used what I have learned in CHURCH from over the years to Forgive. This man has paid his debt to society and now he takes time to service his community that is now trying to judge him. I have not read of any incident since him being released about him being arrested or going back to jail. It seems to me he is staying out of trouble. This man is trying to serve his community taking time out of his day with little or no pay. For the City Fireman from Greenville I guess they do not have a brotherhood at that department. I salute the comment of standing together and helping this man who was voted on by his peers. That is what a true brotherhood is which is used as a code between organizations, it saddens me to see a comment like that. In all I think the news here is trying to ruin a mans life. Remember readers we have all done things in our past that we haven’t been to proud of. What if it was you who the news went and dug up your past and posted it on the headlines. I think all public safety organizations as well as military boycott this news channel because it might be you all one day on trail on the station for actions that you might have taken in your time that you have already paid your debt to. I hope those members of Greenville Fire Rescue might have a sense of brotherhood then the firefighter who commented.

“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;”