NIMBY on Display: Former politician not happy about new neighbor, so he tries to change laws to displace him.
Brian Pepin, a former California Councilmember and political consultant, recently took to the podium at a St. Johns County (Florida) Commission meeting to advocate for stricter sex offender residency restrictions. His reason? A man convicted of possessing child pornography in 2007 moved across the street from his house. That man has served his time, been off supervision for over a decade, and, from all appearances, has done nothing wrong—except exist.
Pepin’s remarks make one thing painfully clear: this isn’t about protecting children. It’s about Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) panic wrapped in emotional appeals and political theater.
The man across the street committed his crime nearly two decades ago. He served prison time, completed supervised release, and has lived without incident since. According to every tenet of our justice system, he has paid his debt to society. Yet to Pepin, this man’s mere presence is enough to justify reshaping local law. There is no allegation that this individual has done anything threatening or illegal. No lurking. No inappropriate behavior. Nothing beyond setting up a Ring doorbell camera on his own house—a common device used by millions of homeowners for security.
But because of who he is, because of the label he carries, that camera becomes a sinister surveillance tool in the eyes of a neighbor. His existence becomes a threat. His address becomes a problem.
Residency restrictions are a political reflex, not a public safety solution. Over 25 years of research—including studies from the U.S. Department of Justice—show that residency restrictions do not reduce recidivism. What does reduce reoffending? Housing. Employment. Support. Stability.
We get that Mr. Pepin doesn’t want the stigma of a neighbor on the registry any more than his neighbor likes being registered. But NIMBY cannot be the basis for policy. The law must be grounded in fact, data, and justice—not public shaming, moral panic, or the politics of exclusion.
The man across the street has done everything the system asked of him. He has followed the law. And now, the message he’s receiving is: “That’s still not good enough.” What’s happening here is not about public safety. It’s about creating a class of untouchables—people who, no matter what they do or how long ago they did it, can never be neighbors, citizens, or humans again. That is persecution.
If you want to post a comment on the source article you can find it here.
Discover more from Florida Action Committee
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I tried twice to post a comment on the article and both were deleted. In summary, I told Pepin to be a good neighbor and introduce himself and welcome him to the neighborhood. Then I stated for him to mind his business and stop the fear mongering. His statements during that hearing is full of holes and he was not telling the truth. Florida is one of the toughest states for RSO.
Had it with these folks.
Sasha
I know? I tried but seems like only Cherokee,s s comments are being posted. Unfair
I tried posting a comment as well. I wonder if the comments just get posted to the author of the article because I didn’t see a comment thread.
Mrs. Darsha
This site is about ending the current state of the registry. I have never seen anyone advocate for a sex crime, only the ending of the registry. This is also a place for members to share their experiences with the registry for others. No one here needs more hate or the spreading of misinformation and lies. People would welcome any opinions as to how to make the registry less punitive. Just stop the hate, the Karenist comments, and talk of vigilante justice.
@BWJ
I still think many of these user names are the same people using 5 to 10 different names. FAC already caught one person doing that but it was the same ISP. There is a device someone can get on the internet that changes your ISP and some of them could “Potentially” be doing that. The reason I say this is two fold, #1 why within a months time did so many new bashers / Trolls/ haters show up in a small amount of time? #2, maybe one of them was on social media and called for people to come in here and cause chaos.
As I mentioned before, if someone “Personally in this site” abused my family member, I might come in and harass them, but I doubt a single one of these posters know who we are (Other than those who insist on using their real names in here like Captain Charles used to do)
Eventually, these people will get bored with us because we are not going anywhere. I have said all along, even if I get removed from the registry, I would still come in and comment and encourage others to stay in the fight (To be removed from registry, not to fight with posters in here)
Lastly, and frankly, I am surprised it took this long for the trolls to crawl out of the woodwork and come after us like zombies.
I have noticed that FAC is posting comments from several members, who are allowed to bash so called Trolls here. Sounds to mee Bias. I personally don’t care to see Million posts from Cherokee bashing other members such mrD, BenG.Lets be fair
Thanks
Cherokee and others on here are stating fact. We are not bashing, and we are not threatening, unlike the trolls on here who are advocating violence and further punishment towards PFRs.
Mrs. Daksha
On a sincere note, if you or one of your family members were a victim of sexual abuse, I am genuinely sorry for those who hurt you or your family. This site was made for those on the registry to connect and get resources and to encourage each other and give them hope.
It does not help anything when people come on here stating we should all be sent back to prison or executed or killed by mobs. I could totally understand if you were a victim of mine or another on the registry, but I bet a cool gold coin that you probably do not know anyone in the forum personally.
Property Values
Throughout America, from Fisher Island, to Vero, to Beverly Hills, to Santa Monica, to Seattle to Jackson Hole, to Sun Valley, to Napa Valley, Sonoma, Brickell, SpaceX city, Nawlins……
Everyone is surrounded by a PFR…..
.
The Property values are based on inventory and what you wanna pay!
Per the article, Pepin’s wife “crying herself to sleep at night.”….Did someone harm her?
Maybe Pepin’s wife needs to go see a Shrink!
-Highly Suggested
The husband was a “political consultant”; what does that mean?!?1? like Ron B?