The latest state numbers show that known cases of the new coronavirus in Florida have doubled in the last four days. While much of the world is practicing social distancing and not leaving their homes unless necessary, the State of Florida is STILL requiring persons required to register as sex offenders to report IN PERSON to the county registration offices and Driver’s License offices to report changes that can easily be done over the phone.
No exceptions are being made for those who are sick, elderly, have compromised immune systems or who are otherwise at high risk of serious medical problems or even death if they are exposed to the virus. Even while many municipalities are issuing stay-at-home orders and Driver’s License offices have closed.
We need to call on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to issue an executive order suspending IN PERSON registration requirements while this emergency situation is pending and allow all required reporting to be made via phone, online or via mail.
You can Email the Governor at [email protected] or call (850) 488-7146
I went in to the sheriff’s office…SORT, Brevard County…to re register. I checked in with the outside ‘squawk box’ to the lady who does registration. She asked my name and told me to sit down in chairs that had been placed outside. It was a beautiful morning. In a few minutes she came to the door and asked me if there had been any changes since my last registration. I told her ‘no’. She asked me if I wanted a copy of the reporting documents and I told her page one was all I wanted. She went back inside and in a few minutes came back out with page one. She said have a good day. I told her that we need to do it this way all the time…she agreed. I have never had a problem of registration with the sheriff’s office; now probation…thank God I’m off of it…is another story.
I have a question for FAC. If, as during this crisis, the Sheriff’s officer that does monthly home verifications can do your registry, where they always ask if anything has changed, why can’t this issue be raised now? It would do away with the burden of in person reporting and, possibly, the $25.00 extortion fees and the incompetence, laziness, and failure to notify registrants as shown by JREC’s actions. I realize that it is punishment and a money making issue for the State and Counties, but it is still a valid issue!
Update! I finally got through to JREC at 904-630-8600! The lady told me that a sign was posted on the front door that stated in yellow highlighter that ?If you are a sex offender or predator to call this number”, I am assuming 904-630-8600. I told her that I went to JREC on April 1, 2020 and took a photo of the door, and their paper notice, and that it did NOT provide a phone number, she stated that it was posted in mid March and provided a phone number! I have the photo proving otherwise, and told her that I would email it to her if she provided me with an email address, which she refused to do!!! She stated that the officer that does monthly home verification would do our registry and that the $25.00 extortion fees would be waived. Why are we required to jump through hoops to find out what the hell is going on? They need to do their jobs and provide basic information to offenders, they have our phone numbers and email addresses! FYI the officer that does my home verification has yet to show up this month as well!
The detective that does my home verification called and did mine over the phone last week. And said fees are waived.. so if it’s this easy why don’t they do this all the time?
The officer called me just after the above post. I have made several phone calls raising hell about this issue. They need to get their act together. As I stated we are under their supervision not the other way around
For two reasons. Punishment and money.
I live in phoenix AZ and Phx Police Det. was straight forward He called me to verify my address and number I gave them. If those of you who could leave do so I been here for almost 9 yrs no problems at all. I don’t have that silly 1000 foot law. the rest of the rules don’t matter to me it just part of my life now for the past 31 yrs!
JREC in Duval County has a sheet of paper posted on their door that reads: “While the City of Jacksonville is in a state of emergency, JREC will be closed for services. We will reopen when the state of emergency is lifted.” I called the FDLE offender registration office in Tallahassee today and the gentleman informed me that JREC is accepting call in registrations and that their number is 904-301-2410. The JREC sign made no such statement and provided no phone number, moreover they did not notify any registrants that their office would be closed! If you would like to verify this with FDLE their number is: 1-888-357-7332.
Yesterday I completed my monthly in person registration Doral location Miami Dade. They do not let you in the building so there is no personal contact and they have provided an outside waiting area with seating spaced at six feet apart.
You present your Id, pressing it against the glass door answer a few question like “has anything changed from last month” and proof that you appeared as required by law is slipped through the door. (I have retained every single registration document since 2006 @ 12:32:39)
It was explained to me that Semi-annual, quarterly annual, or transient registration is considered an essential law enforcement activity and will continue at least here in Miami.
My 14 year experience with the registration process here has been nothing less than professional. We must comply with the law and they must enforce it.
it doesn’t matter if they let you in the building how many need to stop for gas, or if vehicle breaks down, must take uber, taxi, etc… your being put at risk! either put your health at risk of dying or go to prison some choice and it’s reality!!! i’m under 65 but have underlying conditions that put me in high risk! i’m supposed to go in next month but i can come up with the 10% of the 5000 bond i think i might just rather be judged by 9 or 10 then being told to risk my life!
i’m supposed to go in next month but i can come up with the 10% of the 5000 bond i think i might just rather be judged by 9 or 10 then being told to risk my life!
I just don’t understand this logic. Failing to register is a third degree felony that will land you in the county jail. You have a far greater risk of contacting covid-19 sitting in the County jail waiting on a court date.
Take the appropriate precautions and register.
BTW, I have stage 3 pancreatic cancer and live out of the backseat of a car.
Oh, I don’t know. I can think of a few other things we could do rather than submit like sheep.
To : The Honorable Governor Ron DeSantis:
From: Barbara Spragg, Justice Transitions Inc. a Florida Non-Profit Organization
Dear Gov. DeSantis,
During this time of crisis, I am appealing to your better nature to end a practice that could be lethal to a certain population of citizens. That is the in-person registration those on the sex offender registry.
Statistically, those on the public registry have a very low rate of recidivism. The continued practice of requiring they report to sheriff’s offices in person the same information that could be reported online or over the phone, during this pandemic and when most municipalities are requiring persons stay at home and socially isolate, only serves to put these individuals and law enforcement officers at risk.
As you are aware, persons on the registry have a responsibility to report a number of items in person. In this day of technology, there are many ways to report the same information electronically (as are some requirements now on the FDLE cyber-communications portal), especially during a state of emergency.
These are matters mandated by statute and only you can stop them thru an executive order. Men and women should not have to risk their health and safety or jeopardize their freedom (failure to report in person is a Felony) by not following the law and reporting in person at county locations.
You have the power to eliminate this risk by enacting an executive order allowing all in person registration to be conducted online or via phone during this period and I hope you will exercise that power, not only for the sake of these individuals but their families with whom they live.
Respectfully,
Barbara Spragg
PO Box 470932
Lake Monroe , Florida 32747
407 32-16674
sent him an e-mail as a registered republican lets see if he responds
Funny thing is I have a withheld which allows me to vote, carry a concealed weapon and if I so desire, run for public office. So, I can lawfully obtain a fire arm but not a place of residency. Go figure.
i have withheld also and they revoked my concealed permit and made me sell my gun are you sure you can carry? i can vote and live near parks etc unless the city says no
I too have a withheld status and actually served jury duty last year here in Jacksonville.
I can’t get a decent job, have normal relationships, comfortably go to church or travel freely but I can be a juror. Welcome to the Twilight Zone.
Thats so fnny i got called for jury duty also. i didn get picked but it is so funny how those of us with adjudication withheld have some freedoms but still live a chit life. i am still interested to know if i can get a weapon someone said yes but when i asked again i didnt get an answer
my paperwork says no victims under 18 and adjudication withheld. does anyone know???
Yes, with a withhold you can acquire a firearm.
You
Might want to double check. That is how it was 20 years ago, but last time that I checked, it looked like the BATF head wisened up.
You may find Supreme Court of Florida No SC15-506
Joseph Peter Clarke Vs United States of America. Its a case where the 11th ask for clarification of its withhold of adjudication. Excellent. Very in depth withhold of adjudication as applied to sex offender. You wanna talk about judicial somersaults?
I hope that people take note that a pro-life Governer is requiring possibly pregnant female offenders to risk the life of an unborn child.
@ROMI, @Jerry,
Would you mind sharing the new phone number?
It’s not a new phone number. It’s a number that that they call you from. I dont think you can call it back
That sounds shady as fu¢k. How did you know you were speaking to law enforcement? What was the number they called you from?
Law enforcement has our email addresses, why couldn’t they just sent an email and let us know what’s going on? Why are they being childish and not answering the registration office phones? They could even put a recorded message to hear when we call.
What say you FAC?
New Number for DeSantis (850) 488-7146
Old Number (850) 717-9337 DISCONNECTED
Jacksonville has already begun phone registrations. I took note of the time, phone number and the officer’s name who conducted the interview.
Was the number you called 904-301-2410?
Jacksonville has already begun phone registrations. I took note of the time, phone number and the officer’s name who conducted the interview.
Thank God!
I had a feeling common sense would ultimately prevail. A rare occasion for the sex offender registry.
Can someone tell me the number to call for registration in Jacksonville. Thank you!
Here is the county-by-county list https://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/Documents/REREGISTRATIONLOCATIONS.pdf
The phone number for Jacksonville-Duval listed in the above FDLE link is not being answered. According to Barbara Spragg, the new number for JAX-Duval is 904-630-8633.
Some are reporting that the registration office is calling us and doing phone interviews in JAX-Duval. I have asked what number they are calling from but have not gotten a response yet.
Also, who is calling? The office or the detective assigned to you (the one that does the residence verification)?
BEWARE of registration offices calling you.
Im sorry, fac, could you elaborate on that beware?
We have been warning about scams where people are getting calls from individuals CLAIMING to be detectives. The calls are bogus.
Beware why? Because it may not be them but someone impersonating? Or because if it IS them then they’re up to no good and registrants shouldn’t be talking to them?
It might not be them.
Agree with FAC – odds are they’re identity thieves.
How did y’all get a phone interview?? I can’t get anyone to answer the phone!!
Greetings All,
I attempted to call the registration desk here in Duval County / Jacksonville yesterday and no one ever picked up and the call just rang and rang.
Upon calling the general non-emergency phone number for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office the person said she believed the office was closed but couldn’t immediately confirm.
This is the first time anything like this has occurred in my 23 years as a registration sex offender.
This is definitely a dynamic situation!
I would strongly suggest you get in your car drive down to the registration office if you are required to register this month.
Registration office Doral has set up an outside waiting area, you appear in person at the door, and speak through intercom. Being a essential law enforcement activity offices in very large Counties like Miami have found creative ways to limit exposure and possible transmission of Covid-19 virus.
Your risk of exposure is much greater sitting in the County Jail than appearing for rereg.
There have been reports in Broward County, that when registrant’s go to the Probation Office to register, there was no one there to take care of them. I myself tried to call down there and was not able to get a hold of anyone. This is a major problem and can cause a 3 degree felony if individuals that must register during this month can not. I am thinking this most likly can go on until the regular registration office opens, which can be indefinitely.
Done. I had not been on this site for a while. You all have been working hard. Thank you FAC and all those who are stepping up to help out.
I sent an e-mail. Hopefully he is not too busy to be able to read our requests
And I think we all know what’s going to happen when they construct temporary hospitals to treat this pandemic … hospitals with pediatric sections. Hospitals S.O.’s will NOT be able to use due to our probation.
Done
Emailed DeSantis and included appeal for repeal of SORNA and an end to life time registration
I sent the following to Fort Myers TV (and radio) WINK, NBC2, WFTX, WZVN, WGCU (radio), WBBH:
Florida Action Committee members have been begging Governor Ron DeSantis to suspend in-person sex offense registrations. They can be done over the telephone.
He has refused to act for several days now.
An FDLE spokesperson (Adam) said that registrant health was not being taken into consideration – only the health of sheriff’s deputies.
Governor DeSantis is putting our lives at risk needlessly!
I also emailed deSantis (for the 3rd time in 3 days).