Florida laws governing where sexual offenders can live are well intentioned. The goal was to restrict contact between those who have been convicted of abusing children and any potential victims.

The state law says: A person who has been convicted of (a sexual offense) regardless of whether adjudication has been withheld, in which the victim of the offense was less than 16 years of age, may not reside within 1,000 feet of any school, child care facility, park, or playground …

Sounds reasonable. Parents obviously are in favor of this law. No mom or dad wants their child playing or going to school knowing a person who has violated children is watching them. While the attitude can be criticized as stereotyping, the concern is real because of the person’s history.

Politicians who made these laws did so with much support and earned much respect for doing so.

The problem is, there is no evidence we know of that these laws make our children safer.

How much of a deterrent is requiring a person to live 1,000 feet from a playground? It is not difficult to walk 1,000 feet. It is not difficult to prey on children going to and from a school that is 1,000 feet from your home. That may sound cold, but it is reality.

A convicted sex offender recently sued the Palm Beach County government saying it had no right to restrict where he could live.

In response, the county’s attorney suggested they loosen restriction.

Did they cave in?

Perhaps, but the law has had some unintended consequences according to a story in the Wall Street Journal.

By restricting where sexual offenders can live, states and counties have essentially forced many of them into living on the streets. In Palm Beach County, for example, the head of the county sheriff’s office unit that is responsible for tracking sexual offenders — who must register and give an address — said it is not unusual for them to declare homelessness. In reality, however, police have found they merely move into a home in a restricted area while police have no address where they can keep track of them.

According to the Wall Street Journal story, Dallas City Council considered its own laws restricting where sexual offenders could live. A council member, however, did research on the topic and reported back that he found no information or data to support restrictions.

City council members in Elkhorn, Wisc., according to the WSJ, drew praise when they passes a law prohibiting sexual offenders from living within 2,000 fee of school, parks and other facilities where children may congregate. Critics, however, said communities are only making it more difficult for offenders to find housing while giving parents a false sense of security.

Unfortunately, restrictions do not appear to work. Crimes still occur.

One might argue it doesn’t hurt to have the laws on the books — if for no other reason than to discourage sexual offenders from moving into a community.

The truth is, restrictions that might force sexual offenders onto the streets — where it is almost impossible to keep track of them — are defeating the purpose.

 

 

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