Broward, FL task force issues report and recommendations on sex offender housing problem
A subcommittee under the Broward County Reentry Coalition, which is comprised of representatives from the Sheriff’s Office, Florida State Department of Corrections, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, County Reentry programs, treatment providers, legal professionals and registrants, has issued a report and recommendations on how to deal with the County’s homeless sex offender population.
Approximately 27% of the registrant population in Broward is homeless. That percentage is higher than any other county in Florida, including Miami-Dade, which has become notorious for it’s homeless sex offender population.
Among the recommendations; preempt the patchwork of city ordinances in favor of a county-wide restriction mirroring the State Statute and create transitional housing to accommodate the hundreds of currently homeless who are excluded from shelters.
A copy of the full report can be found below:
Broward Sex Offender Housing Report and Recommendations
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In the first recommendation, Broward county wants to mirror the state’s 1000 ft restriction of their statute F.S. 775.215. I thought the states’s restriction was only limited to those who are on probation or parole (as a sentence )
Get rid of the residency restrictions. I believe MY neighbors did the right thing. They came and talked to me— at great length. I had nothing to hide, yet as parents, they didnt FREAK OUT (as most parents do). They gave me a chance to integrate into the community; now 20+ years later, I can walk down the street, wave at the neighbors, converse…
If the kids are playing basketball and the ball bounces in my direction, I pick it up and pass it to them. They say “Thanks Sean” and I go about my way.
My neighbors are concerned about my health, so they ask me all the time how am I doing. THEY EVEN HAVE CALLED BSO TO GIVE ME 2-3 WEEK HEALTH/WELLNESS CHECKS (besides my monthly checks) They have even asked the Deputies if I need anything, let them know and they will pick it up for me.
There are always going to be questions about you/us. As long as we are visible, open with the “Hi Neighbor”, they will learn, over time we are not the “creep in the bushes”, just another guy who made a mistake; is not a threat and just want to get on with the rest of his life.
Sean, I agree with you completely! I came home from prison in January, 2013. I was able to find stable housing in August of that year. I was blessed to have family & friends that helped me get from January to August. I lived in the house until June of 2016 when I was able to buy a home. By the time I left the first home I was on speaking terms with all of my neighbors to the point that we’d have long chats out in the front yards. The 2 neighbors that had children simply told them to go play away from our conversation group, not out of sight, just not amongst the group. I have similar experiences with current neighbors. It’s taken time but they’ve learned that I’m not out stalking or trolling for children. I’ve even begun helping several of them with outdoor errands. I do have one neighbor that the only thing that will end the silent ignore is one of us being buried. I know that my experience is unfortunately not the norm for all of “us” but I had to remember that if I wanted to be approached I had to behave in a way that made me approachable.
Good Night…Some one like yourself is a TESTAMENT to many parts of the Bible….may you continue His Prophecy….Quite Splendid!
Peace Brother!
recommendations on how to deal with the County’s homeless sex offender population.
A Recommendation ?? hmm, Ok, I’ll try. How about this for a recommendation: You get rid of SORR all together for good and then you won’t have a sex offender homeless population. Bam! Mind blowing ! I know !!! …Don’t need to thank me, you’re welcome (free of charge)
Lol. You’re a genius Debbie. Thank you.
I hope these people come to their senses and finally realize that their decades old punitive methods are ineffective and strike down these ordinances.
Some of the subcommittee members privately have been aware of that, I suspect, and just needed to issue a study in order to give the notion legitimacy. No wonder the study was so brief!
I can’t wait for one of them to say, in a public hearing, “so, the ordinance is creating the problem? And we don’t need the ordinance anymore? Why can’t we just get rid of the ordinance, then?” Followed by a motion to vote on doing just that!
Be careful when you are talking about taking away Senator Lauren and daddy Book’s meal ticket!
They don’t take kindly to FACTS.
Issued No House, No Job, No Car, No Commimications, No Travel, No Vote, No Life
Good timing! Ron Book is off trying to save his own butt, maybe he wont be able to stick his nose in on this. But it does mention “homeless shelters” so he might be able to stick his nose into the Homeless Trust.
1) THEY ADMIT:
“There is no evidence suggesting that SORRs are effective in reducing sexual offending or
recidivism.’ This fact has been demonstrated across numerous studies, including the U.S.
Department of Justice, which concluded that SORRs should not be viewed as a viable strategy for
protecting communities. … On the contrary, SORRs create barriers to reentry by fostering housing instability, separation from
family and support systems and isolation, all of which are factors that increase recidivism. ”
2) AND YET THEY (IDIOTICALLY) RECOMMEND:
” Broward County should enact legislation to pre-empt the patchwork of city SORR
ordinances in favor of a uniform county-wide SORR that mirrors the State’s SORR Statute
(F.S. §775.215). ” (1000 foot law)
3) PLEASE REMEMBER that as our numbers grow, we gain political weight! ! They wish to divide us; to cool us down a bit.
4) DON’T ACCEPT HALF-ASSED MEASURES DESIGNED TO DIVIDE US FURTHER! WE MUST STAND SHOULDER TO SHOULDER!!
5) REMEMBER: ALL REGISTRIES ARE BAD! (not just a registry for the worst-of-the-worst) ALL SORRS ARE BAD!! (not just an “easy” sorr) ALL PUBLIC HUMILIATION IS BAD (not just for those over a certain age).
This is a very good, short and to the point report. Much of it we already know, but the public does not. I hope it persuades County Council that that can eliminate a substantial chunk of the registrant homeless problem AND enhance public safety simply by doing away with the county the residency restriction ordinance.