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.
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I’m going to guess that there were a few who are RSOs who were members for YEARS without incident who were then summarily tossed out for NO GOOD REASON.
Or maybe it’s just the optics.
I think I feel another fac letter coming on. Hint hint. We should ask them do they plan on screening their members for drug offenders, mur murderers, And thieves. Because they don’t need to be in there either.
I agree with you and maybe there should be a different tactic. If the state is going to set judgment against one group then lets go the otherway and demand that every felon should be restricted and monitored or do away with all of it. Maybe if they are forced in a corner to have to be equal they will realize they cant afford to put everybody in a group. when they have to afford thousands of new officers to deal with the influx to be monitored. Lets see how the states budget get turned upside down.
Young Men’s CHRISTIAN Association??????
So much for the CHRISTIAN Part
Actually is sounds very Christian to me.
Shame a sexual thoughts – Check
Holier than thou hypocrisy – Check
Judgmental attitude – Check
I suppose that now, just as the Boy Scouts have removed the name “Boy” from their organization, YMCA can now remove the name “Christian” from their title…YNA?
YMCA Mission:
To put Christian principles into practice through programs that help healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
Core Values:
Caring: to demonstrate a sincere concern for others, for their needs and well-being. Related values: compassion, forgiveness, generosity, and kindness.
What another hypocrite company
I do not see anything Christian about the YMCA. I don’t remember them visit jails, prisons or the unlovable people. Food boxes, blankets to elderly or homebound. compassion to anyone? But they charge 75.00 a month for membership hmmm? I cannot really think of anything that they do is “Christ-Like” A public pool and some handball courts does not make them Christ-like. Family values once again come with a price tag
Doesn’t the “C” stand for Christian?
🤔
It used to. Until the word Christian became offensive. Then it was changed.
Who do you guys think the next group to hate is going to be. Most of the United States is fed up with the Christians already. I bet there next. They are just setting the stage for the next hated group.
I bet it’s sex offenders.
Go troll someplace else