Perhaps the most striking illustration that if a legislator wants to get a bill passed, all they need to do is throw the word “sex offender” in there and it’ll work.
Case in point: Currently in both the House and Senate are bills concerning the use of Drones (SB 766 and HB 649). A “drone” is essentially an unmanned aircraft that is generally used for reconnaissance.
National Geographic recently reported on some pretty creative uses for drones, now that they are becoming more inexpensive to manufacture and technology is more readily available. These uses include some that you would never think of, such as Amazon package delivery, and others that are common sense, like storm tracking.
With the use of drones come privacy concerns. Just like Google maps can capture images of your front yard, a drone could extend that to your back yard too. So legislators proposed a bill that would make it illegal to record someone’s private property without consent… Pretty common sense, right? But then some legislators want to extend that to Public areas too, which is not so common sense and has raised some debate.
Well, to punctuate her argument, Lizbeth Benacquisto, Republican Senator from Wellington, is concerned about Sex Offenders using drones to scope out children in public parks! Really?!? While it’s technically possible… is that the argument that she’s hoping will tip the scale and force legislators to vote her way? I guess the power of the word “sex offender” is that strong.
Also JoJo – do you always believe what the neighbors tell you? I suggest talking to him yourself … also educate yourself to the truth about the laws – I assume you are in FL? Rape has a very broad definition in this state.
First I would like to say that I embrace MOST technology but drones are not something with which I have felt comfortable. Regardless of what they are used for what they can do is disturbing to me – I also think that anyone that is already an RSO should probably avoid them for reasons illustrated in the comments on this thread. The most recent comment by JoJo is an example. Here is what I would say to you JoJo – first if I came home and found a drone hovering around my doorstep and knew for certain who it belonged to I would tell that person that if it happens again (or you see it happening to any neighbor) you will call the police. But I caution you – unless the drone has a flashing sign that says “hello I belong to your neighborhood sex offender” I would use caution. Unless you actually saw the drone leave his property and arrive at yours there is no way for you to know that it belongs to him. The fact that he has privacy fence etc. does not surprise me – I am sure he knows that he faces hostility from some of the neighbors (as you have demonstrated with your comments). You need to ask yourself whether your beliefs are based in facts or based on what you ASSUME to be true. Or…maybe you don’t – after all he just a sex offender, right?
I have a registered sex offender who lives on my street. The neighbor tells me he raped two girls. In the last year, he has built a lattice enclosure around his front porch from ground to ceiling that is obviously designed so no one can see in and he can see out. He has closed-circuit cameras all over his property , which is in very close proximity to the neighbors and the street. He watches his cameras and the movements of everyone on our street. He has at least one drone with a camera. He doesn’t hover over his own house. He hovers over the only two houses on the block with children. And last night, I came home after 10 pm to find his drone hovering in front of my house in the pitch dark. Unless someone can enlighten me, I believe there is only one reason to fly one in the dark…because you can see into the light better – such as into lit bedrooms, bathrooms, and other parts of the house. I walked my dog and looked right up at the drone for a long time, at which point he brought it back home.This guy is up to no good.
Have you tried talking to him about it? I certainly would if I came home to find a drone hovering in front of my house and had concerns about the intent of the operator.
It is not legal to fly drones at night at all. Look up FAR 107 and have it on hand when you call law enforcement.
Ive read your skepticism regarding sex offenders and drones… well I happen to have this happen to someone close to me. We aren’t sure if he’s a “registered” offender or not but he regularly flies his drones and looks into the windows in the neighborhood where women are going about their business at home. Is he scoping them our for sexual assault? robbery? Obviously, something isn’t right because a grown man should not be looking into women’s windows at night. The scary thing is, if he were standing at the window “peeping” they could call police but since its a drone there’s no “proof” he was ever there.. virtual “peeping”. We hope it doesn’t escalate!!
Debra,
Thank you for visiting this site and reading these important articles. We welcome discussion on these topics from both sides to spur constructive debate. Now on to the specifics of your comment:
You state: “well I happen to have this happen to someone close to me”
I can speak for myself (but think other members would agree) that we are sorry your friend experienced such an event. Invasion of privacy is a terrible experience at any level.
You go on to say, ” We aren’t sure if he’s a “registered” offender or not”
I will attempt to respond to this in brief but honestly, I could write a novel on the many, many layers this comment has to respond to.
If you are “not sure” of the registered status of this individual I am surprised that at any moment during the said event(s), your research on this topic, your finding this site, reading the stories posted and taking the time to write a comment you never determined the answer. I will not perpetuate the false sense of security certain public information gives – so I will not guide you to the manner in which to find out – but what in the world would ever lead you to assume the person is a registered citizen? That’s quite a leap don’t you agree? The majority os sex-related crimes (95%+} occur between known individuals. Not strangers. And NEVER, at this time, strangers flying drones.
I have a guess! Stranger Danger, Predator Panic, exploitative news stories every night on tv, lies you are fed every day, and (unfortunately) ignorance.
Let us assume the perpetrator IS a registered citizen. In what manner do you believe your friend would be more safe if the drone was registered on a “sex offender” registry? Would the drone be automatically disabled as soon as said information is made public? I think not.
Let us assume he is NOT a registered citizen. Should Benaquisto require that EVERY citizen register their private information on a public registry just in case you see a plane and want to know who is flying it?
For that matter- cars kill more people than toy drones – perhaps there should be a public registry for anyone who owns a car (you) upon which I can access your vehicle information, home address, work address, your children’s school, your family’s home, your family members cars, what email addresses and phone numbers you use and when you use them.
Do you consume alcohol in any manner? I do not but I can tell you alcohol related crimes are far more prevalent than most other crimes. Perhaps a registry should be started for every person who buys a beer. What brand they bought, when they bought it, why they bought it, where they live because lord knows I don’t want to be near the person! People have killed people under the influence of alcohol so obviously EVERYONE who drinks is a threat to my safety.
Now that being said – would you feel more safe with a registry of any type? Correction DO you feel more safe? Based on your comment I think you do not (I am sorry for that) and registries currently exist. You are no more safe now than you were before. And, quite frankly, you are generally safe on a day-to-day basis anyway. The registry is an ineffective “tool” in response to a fairytale about the issue.
Please feel free to respond. We are passionate about these topics. Concerned with everyone’s civil and constitutional liberties and we welcome you. Perhaps together we can spur change and truly protect everyone in an effective and constitutional manner.
i’m really sic n tired of hearing the word sex offender constantly and it’s propaganda. just like the Samuel Adams beer commercial; it’s one of the worst tasting beers i ever tried but they keep on advertising it heavily and then people drink it cause on commercials it appears that their friends all drink it. thus most people become brain washed and think it is great and will help make them popular if they jump on the band wagon and drink that nasty tasting beer cause there friends do; in the mean time the company making the nasty tasting beer is making $$$$ thus they must continue to advertise heavily to keep the circle going. just like the sex offender word
The only problem I have with this is they keep us in the limelight and the public says cut out ALL their rights to live in any way. To fight it would say there are people who care and even though we think this bill is absurd we want you to know we will stand for freedoms that you keep trying to take. Not only that but to expose her for the stupidity of her bill. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to voice my opinion and God bless you all and His mercy on all of us and this country.
I.H.S.
Tony Locacio
The senator introduces a totally unrelated topic to link sex offenders to drones. Riddle me this, if a registered person can’t afford housing and transportation, because of the laws she has helped to pass, how on God’s earth can they afford a drone???
They can’t and, realistically how many sex offenders would run out and buy a drone with this purpose in mind?
Still, it just goes to show that you can introduce the “sex offender” keyword into any discussion and accuse opponents of being soft on sex offenders and it’s a guaranteed win.
One word – sigh. It will work too – it makes me sick