Central Florida YMCA to screen members for sex offenders
ORLANDO, Fla. – The YMCA of Central Florida announced to its members that it will begin screening all members and guests to see if they’re registered sex offenders before being let inside their buildings.
The announcement came in the form of a letter sent to members signed by Chief Operating Officer Daniel Ickes.
Ickes sent an explanation to News 6.
“At the YMCA of Central Florida, there is nothing more important to us than the safety and security of our members, staff and volunteers. For that reason, we proactively evaluate our safety procedures; and, as a result, recently made the decision to enhance our check-in process,” Ickes said.
The wording has already been added to the Y’s Code of Conduct, which all members sign when they join.
A check of other YMCA policies revealed Central Florida is not alone.
YMCA organizations across the country had adopted similar screening methods, some as far back as 2010.
Some experienced incidents that prompted the new screenings, others said it was preventive.
“Rules can be very strict, but how are they applied?” News 6 legal analyst Steven Kramer asked.
He said it appears the decision to screen members and guests for sex offenders in Central Florida is proactive.
“Is this in response to some activities or some events at other Ys, or is this trying to make sure that nothing happens in the future?” he asked. “The reality is probably a mix of both.”
When the YMCA in Connecticut implemented the policy, leaders there told the media they ran all 50,000 of their members’ names in the national sex offender database. They wouldn’t give complete numbers, but they said only a handful were on the list.
The new screening procedures in Central Florida take effect Aug. 1.
Discover more from Florida Action Committee
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I think price clubs should implement this policy, maybe then the Supreme Court will correct their screw up.
I was kicked out of my local YMCA several years ago in PA along with a bunch of others for being teir 1 on the list. I would never support the Y.
The manager was also very rude n gross
Add the YMCA (Yammering Mindless Cowards Association) to a growing list of businesses who deny services to law abiding registered citizens. Soon, we will not be able to stay, eat, drink, or exist anywhere in this nation of so-called Christians.
Obviously the YMCA, and most of America, has forgotten Matthew 6:14–15: “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
In the same Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said just a few verses prior…
You have heard that it has been said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy, but I say to you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be the children of your Father which in heaven, for he makes his sun shine on the evil and the good and sends rain on the just and the unjust…
As you point out, if you want the Father to forgive your trespasses, you must forgive those who have trespassed against you. Do you love, pray for, and do good to Ron and Lauren Book? Maybe doing so will give all of us some more traction.
Or the YMCA, or anyone else being vilified in these forums… hate only foments more hate… Let’s try following Jesus’s example… his followers changed Rome and the world.
So i cant take my kids to the pool anymore? How does this help anyone?
It’s all good though. I go to planet fitness. They’re true to their motto….. No judgement zone!
I used to work for the Y in Jacksonville. Biggest hypocritical organization you’ve ever seen. There is nothing Christian about it. The CEO makes 6 figures and all they care about is getting United way money. My mom ran their child care program for 3 years. It brought in 200K a year, yet her salary was 25K a year to run, staff, and oversee 10 child care locations. She quit because it was too stressful. Her boss had the audacity to tell he to cut as much costs as possible for things like snacks and supplies and such. Yet she made 6 figures as the branch director. So yeah, that’s the REAL YMCA for ya. The truth is Sooooo inconvenient for folks isn’t it???