I participated once again in the SMART symposium. This is an information only presentation intended for law enforcement agencies including the federal Marshall service and local law enforcement agencies around the country to be brought up to date on SORNA.
As I expected the information was presented in a manner which paints this as a necessary policy to protect communities from threats posed by those people required to register.
A few points I’d like to make.
The points presented were consistent to what we’ve been hearing for years.
In fact at the last presentation I attended I had the opportunity to ask and make my concern know about the constant reference to this population as “SEX OFFENDERS” and asked they reform their language when referencing this population of “people required to register”, and I was informed. “you must take that up with the legislature, as this is language in statute, so this is what we will use.”
Now a bit about my experiences and thoughts about this symposium. Although I was not part of the majority in mindset and background or experience with SORNA and spoke openly when the opportunity was presented, at this event, I at no time was treated disrespectfully nor did I feel threatened in any way.
So…that being said, I believe it gives you an idea of who are the gate keepers.
The opening Plenary “An Overview of The National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction” Stacie B. Harris presenter – This was nothing outside of the expected reiteration of what we already know. They want to stop the proliferation of ongoing offences of child pornography and child sex trafficking. Which we can all agree is a good thing. (Probably not in agreement with their methodology and assumptions, but…)
It was really at the second plenary: “DNA and Cold Cases” Steven L Armentrout, Ph D., Brian Martin presenters – This is where I realized what the government was doing here and their overall intent in their messaging. It was a very interesting case which was presented, and I found the forensic content fascinating at times and the inside look at the process for catching up with a perpetrator especially on an old case informative. However, it was the way the messaging was presented. It was blatant sensationalism and intended to infuriate and incite an outraged response from the law enforcement in the room. Which it did. Shame on our government for manipulating the law enforcement population charged with monitoring and implementing these policies. I agree the April Tinsley case was awful and bizarre and the individual who kidnapped and murdered this child should be held accountable, painting a picture to insinuate this is anything but an exception to those who are on the registry and that it is anything but an exceptional case by a very sick individual, is irresponsible.
After being at the conference for 2 days I will tell you, I interacted with both presenters and attendees, I had the opportunity to converse with several folks and although not all discussions were of total agreement, I believe for the most part it was respectful. I’m not sure I changed any minds of those in attendance, but at least we agreed there is room for improvement and the only way we will get that is by legislative reform at the state and federal level. Everyone there has a basic position of, “I’m just doing my job”.
In some specific discussions I had with guests who stopped me to ask about my SORNA Button (a simple button I wore with the word SORNA and a red circle with a line through it, denoted not supportive) I was able to educate, share my thoughts and my business card. I saw that as a good opportunity.
I had opportunity to ask questions at other presentations and share what I know to be facts, based on research and clarify some of what they were saying. I cannot say what they presented was misinformation, but what I can say is the presentation of some of the way it was presented was from a skewed perspective.
One of the presentations I attended clearly talked about the Child Pornography offenders and the risk tools being used and the bottom line was that those who are in the possession only category are more likely to be low risk to reoffend and unlikely to have a contact offense. This is supported by research as well as compared to other categories of offenders, (drug offenders, property theft, etc..) the overall recidivism rate of the “Sex Offender” population is low by comparison, but the mind set is, one is too many, when is comes to this category of offender. What was reinforced to me was this is all based more on moral outrage than anything else.
Thank you again for allowing me the opportunity to represent Florida Action Committee and to be your voice.
Gail Colletta
President Florida Action Committee
Gail, just wanted to say thank you, thank you, thank you.
Gail and others I don’t like to follow in others footsteps so I want to show you my thanks by giving you something more valuable than any man made riches. That is wisdom and encouraging words The Bible says “Speak up for those who can not speak for themselves; ensure justice for being crushed. Yes speak up for the poor and helpless and see that they get justice” Proverbs 31; 8-9 NLT. So instead of saying thank you for yours and other people who help out please except these words from my heart instead
I say “ditto” to beefstew327’s post on July 24, 2019. I pray that God showers His blessings on Gail, and those who assist her, for speaking up for the many people on the registry who have no means of defending themselves against a misguided, ignorant society. Gail and her assistants plead the cause of the poor and needy (Proverbs 31:9), as many on the registry are poor and needy because of the afflictions cast on them by our current society that is losing touch with reality and common sense.
“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3 KJV) God sees all that the people leading FAC are doing. May His incomprehensible power and blessings flow through these people.
Good news I think?
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/missouri/articles/2019-07-24/federal-suit-challenges-sex-offender-registry
The MO attorney general is a typical bureaucrat politician always looking for someway to avoid justice. Sometimes we have to skip all the “BS” and go right to the top. We know that below that in all the minutiae, will be nothing more than delaying tactics and an effort to deprive citizens of constitutional rights. If what is going on in the states is constitutional when depriving individuals of rights, then it’s time for the whole subject of registries be taken to the Federal Supreme Court and the question settled once and for all. A simple reading will tell anyone with a ‘lick of sense’ that the registries are un-Constitutional. We need to end this bureaucratic game and let people get on with their lives.
In reading the report I see mentioned about the mind set of ‘one is too many’ when it comes to a sex offense. We see this mind set today used to single out sex offenses…playing of the “Sex offense” card or the “child” card. We see this same tactic used today in various situations not related to sex offenses but with lesser penalties…”Gender” card, “Race” card, “Compassion” card, “Transgender” card, “Single Mother” card, “Disability” card, etc. etc. All are used to make someone feel more deserving than someone else and more likely to need a break in life. Well, maybe I am out in ‘left field’, but from my experience ‘one time is too many’ for any violent event to take place in someone’s life, be it an armed car jacking, armed home invasion , armed robbery, a drug dealer’s attempt to sell drugs to a family member, DUI homicide, a sex offense, ad infinitum. For some reason a sex offense, once, is unforgivable and requires lifetime monitoring…and individual and family destruction, while the rest of these offenses with higher recidivism rates deserves forgiveness and restoration. In Florida a ‘sex offender’ and murderer are in the same restoration category. How far out in ‘outer space’ is that thought process? Do we have to riot and burn down businesses to show how deserving of restoration we are? Some categories of citizens have done that. That’s how crazy it has gotten. We have to keep speaking out and hammering away at these ‘hard headed’ politicians until they wake up to reality. I am willing to wager that if they were tracked 24 hours a day they would eventually end up on the registry…if they didn’t ‘pay’ their way off. In today’s world we are all too willing to group people and that willingness is destroying this nation from its very foundations.
Well said Capt. I got a lot of respect for you for calling a spade a spade. The truth needs to be told as it is
Captain. As always, your commentary is top notch. Thank you.
Brovo Zulo Skipper. Well said.
Exactly what I thought they are being manipulated into believing they have superior rights over a man and ‘at a boy rewards regardless of using common sense and available data. I know they tell them we are dangerous manipulators so they become cold blooded. I don’t know how the “law” sleeps at night. I use to think these were good people up there and “Christians” but I’ve found the whole bunch to be mostly narcissistic.
Gail Thank You for being fearless and courageous enough to be the Daniel and willingly stepping into the lions den.
It’s very troubling but apparently true . Many law enforcement personnel feel its necessary to approach there work as a us against them . I guess they feel it gives them a sense of accomplishment that way when they win an inditement . Even if they have to do it illegally. But then winning is everything then isn’t it? It’s nothing about protecting anyone just winning and working together with their brotherhood right or wrong. So they can get that pat on the back.What a great system, huh.
Specifically regarding CP, I would have asked what is being done about its production. Wouldn’t have touched on distribution; a good bit of that is trying teenagers as adults for nude selfies and the FBI/ICAC covers most of the rest with their software that plants it on people for their entrapment stings. But I haven’t seen anything in the press or elsewhere about what our fearless government is doing to prevent such media from being produced. Pretty sure the answer is NOTHING.
Thank you, Gail.
Thank you, Gail, for all that you do for us. I do not think that anyone could ever “fill your shoes”.
Gail, thank you so much for attending this conference! Hopefully, in the next couple of years, NARSOL/ACSOL, or even FAC could be a presenter to give these folks who are “just doing their job,” an idea of how these policies destroy families and ruin the lives of “our” children as well.
I question the efficacy of self-reported “offenses” being at 55% in the CP presentation. Anyone who has successfully completed “Sex Offender” therapy knows you have to make up victims and “crimes” in order to appease your counselor so you can graduate. Those who don’t do this are told they are lying and can languish in therapy for five or more years, thus extending their probation in some cases. Here is the long-winded “Assessing and Managing the Risk Posed by Persons Under Supervision Convicted of Possession of Child Exploitation Materials” presentation:
https://ncjtc-static.fvtc.edu/resources/RS00009395.pdf
Got hit with an interstate transmission of cp : yet not a viewing nor possesion. I was a lan admin it happened under my watch but no posesseion nor viewing. Therapy tried to get me in trouble but feds told them i didnt have possesion nor access to it. I understand the system now because of that.
22 years nonissues not on the public registry and then i try to flip
Houses in florida and bam. Didnt even know and im on some odd list for life. Prosecutors helped me soni can get through it without any issues and i did very well. Passed bg checks etc. had great career then i land in florida and boom. Why was it ok for my juristictionnto say move on and give to society. now here in florida pay pay pay payyyyyy for life.i had a career in a huge company and traveled and gave back. I Was a good producer and community member yes i was: philanthropy and community service in many organizations. And now i cant even work just because i came to florida.
Thank you Gail for being our voice. I don’t know how you do it and keep your composure. I would just want to yell out….are you that *%$ stupid! Not for nothing but it only takes a day or two on the internet to learn just what these laws do and how they harm and are of no real use.
I will say I have no doubt that you will have gotten some people to think a little more. A few more might take pause. You won’t know it, but you did. I have no doubt. So thank you.
Thank you, Gail, for doing this assignment for all of us.
Thank you, FAC, for looking out and fighting this war.
We are battling forces that are fascists, just like the Nazis were.
They too based their policies on uninformed and prejudicial opinion and bullied others with “moral outrage”.
They too created government blacklists and encouraged public shunning and banishment.
They too used the excuse that they were only following orders.
Thank you so much, Gail, for your report. I read that what we all suspected is what is going on…facts be damned. I noticed they used the term ‘Just doing my job’. Being a student of WW II, I do believe I read of similar excuses being used by Nazi war criminals…”Just following orders’. I guess with such an excuse, one can justify not rankling any feathers or trying to inject justice that is so lacking in the system…and go home feeling they have earned their pay. What if our Founding Fathers had taken the same approach? I would love to attend the next conference. By the way, where did you get the SORNA button? That is a must have. God bless you in your work and dedication.
“However, it was the way the messaging was presented. It was blatant sensationalism and intended to infuriate and incite an outraged response from the law enforcement in the room. Which it did. Shame on our government for manipulating the law enforcement population charged with monitoring and implementing these policies.”
It’s called grooming. The pendulum swings both ways. We don’t have exclusivity in that now, do we? Seems the government has a very large propensity for grooming.
True.