September 19, 2013
Contact: Gail Colletta
561.305.4959
Lake Monroe, FL— September 19, 2013.
A Warning to State Legislators About Residency Restrictions
A current search of the FDLE sex offender database shows 90 registrants living transient at the corner of NW 71st Street and 36th Court, in Miami. They are not there by choice; they sleep outdoors along the railroad tracks because it is one of the only places they can lawfully “reside” in the county.
This situation increases the risk to public safety because these laws exacerbate circumstances known to increase risk of recidivism. Contrary to popular belief, studies have shown that residency restrictions INCREASE the risk to the community.
Our legislator’s race to be the “toughest” may seem like a wise political move, but is it worth jeopardizing the safety of their communities?
As the City of Delray Beach mulls increasing their residency restriction to leave only one block in the city where former offenders can lawfully reside, a Florida Action Committee member reached out to their legislators explaining why such restrictions increase the threat to public safety more than decrease it.
For a copy of that letter and the studies referenced therein, please contact Gail Colletta at 561.305.4959 or go directly to the link on our website:
http://floridaactioncommittee.org/restrictions.htm
Florida Action Committee (FAC), founded in 2006, is a state-wide consortium of concerned citizens and professionals whose purpose is to promote the prevention of sexual abuse while preserving the safety and dignity of all citizens through carefully structured laws targeting the truly violent, forced, and/or dangerous predatory acts of sex. FAC believes that many aspects of the current approach to sex offenders seriously undermine justice and actually increase the threat of sexual assault against others, particularly children. FAC opposes a publicized registry of sex offenders and seeks to bring an end to the humiliation of people who have already paid for their crimes. FAC asserts that only by supporting justice for all people—offenders and victims alike can a truly safe society be built and secured for all Americans.
Recent Comments