I started reading a hopeful story about a Florida company called WastePro, that was initiating a program to help the formerly convicted find work. The company, which has garbage, recycling and horticultural pickup services in 28 areas in Florida, seemed to have great insight into the issues facing those with a criminal record and compassion for those who have made mistakes and are trying to rebuild their lives.
“They should be able to live a meaningful life after leaving a corrections facility and have met Florida Department of Corrections’ criteria for seeking employment.” they were quoted as saying.
Since garbage collection is not glamorous and is usually dirty grueling work that pays badly, it’s not easy finding employees. This seemed an ideal solution, considering our population is comprised of super-qualified people who would just be happy to have any job and who could not afford to lose that job once hired.
It all sounded great, until I read halfway down the article and found former sex offenders don’t qualify. they specifically called out sex offenders!
Why, WastePro, are people who have a history of the broad spectrum of offenses considered to be a “sex offense” not eligible to be garbage men?!?!? These are not ice cream trucks you have, they are garbage trucks!!! You’d rather have a repeat DUI offender driving for you?!?!
If anyone wants to share their thoughts on this matter with WastePro, you can contact them at:
Waste Pro USA Inc., 2101 West State Road 434 Suite 305 Longwood, FL 32779-5053
John Jennings, President & CEO – [email protected]
Bob Hyres, Executive VP – [email protected]
Ready to write and I hope everyone else does too. Its the only way we can make a difference. Well, one way at least.
I cant believe its taking this long for some to do something about us being labeled with a mark on our head. Time goes on and passes years after your crime was done, and your still considered a threat. How can they do this, I thought this was America, kids in our community are being killed by drugs. They serve get out and go back and sell more drugs, why no restrictions on them. How can they retro it back to your release date after serving out your plea agreement, serving time attending therapy for 3 years 3to 5 times a week. Come on
something needs to be done. Can we raise money to find a lawyer who will fight our cause. It is punishment, its treatment different from all other law breakers, its making a person for life, its taking away rights that other law breakers are having, but you cant. We cant live where we want, in some cases we cant be anywhere, and have to be a street person. Cant get a job, regardless how talented you are or how responsible law abiding you have come.
Just another sad but real situation that shows the total discrimination against anyone with a sex offense. I was convicted of a minor sex offense over 30 years ago. I had worked for several different companies in various jobs, including manager. For the first 20 years, everything went well. I never, never did anything inappropriate or abused anyone. There have been a lot of people that I had helped over the years. I have always been a good worker, and I have always treated everyone with decency and respect. There is nothing said about any of the good things I have done throughout my life. Everything is based on a mistake that I made 30 years ago. The past 10 years have been absolutely horrific! Over the past 10 years, the smart phones have become increasingly popular. Also, background checks have become very prolific. 30 years ago the only thing you got background checked for was if you were going into the CIA, FBI, or Military Intelligence. Now you get background checked for a job on a garbage route. The crazy thing is that everything was ok, there was the same amount of crime back then as there is now. Serious crimes were dealt with appropriately, and everyone was ok.
This whole “sex offense” thing has gotten so out of hand it is insane. Now days the worst possible thing you can be is a sex offender. None of the other crimes are looked at as severely, such as murder, robbery, heroin dealing, meth lab production…etc.
The persecution that I have experienced over the past 10 years has been unbelievable! I used to have a good job, have friends, and was able to live a “normal” life. Now, I can’t find a job to save my life. People who I thought were friends and had known for years had turned against me. Family members, including my own Father had turned against me. The reason is that they feel that I am a no good child molesting piece of shit. That is what it always boils down to every time. I had not been in any trouble with the law since my sex offense conviction 30 years ago, and I was never in any trouble with the law previously. But here I am 30 years later still dealing with this shit like it happened yesterday.
I certainly understand what is going on, but up to this point there has been very little that I have been able to do about it. I personally feel that the state of Florida should be sued for damages because of the unconstitutionality of these draconian laws. No attorney will touch it because there is not anything in it for them. This is what really needs to happen, then maybe things will change.
Here is the harsh reality as to what is going on with employment of “sex offenders”. It is called LIABILITY! Companies and businesses and the government are afraid to hire a sex offender because they are afraid of a law suit. Even if something would happen off of the work premesis, or off the clock, the courts have allowed these lawsuits to proliferate whereby the employer is held responsible for the actions of their employee. Also, the bad publicity that the employer may receive because their employee is a sex offender prevents prospective employers from hiring anyone with a sex offense.
I have seen it over the past decade where someone committed a sex offense and the lawyers have somehow been able to prove the employer liable for damages to the alleged victim, even when the alleged crime was not committed on company property, and off the clock. These attorneys are getting huge multi million dollar awards, going after the deep pockets of corporations to compensate their victims (mainly themselves) for damages.
This whole thing has gotten so far out of hand it is insane! You don’t see this going on in other countries, just here in the United States. The citizens of this country are being brainwashed by the media and the government to believe that this is all to protect these children and women that are being abused. When in fact it is all about greed. The American people are being ripped off. People are being led to believe that this whole sex offense thing is a big problem and that all sex offenders are no good and that they will all re-offend. There are some cases that are truly horrible, and this is unfortunate. Where the victim had been very traumatized mentally and physically. But the vast majority of these cases in my opinion are nothing but a bunch of whining, crying bullshit in order to be vindictive and to get some easy money.
I have gotten to the point whereby no women or children are allowed on any of my properties. Yes, believe it or not, I am a registered sex offender and own real estate. And unfortunately this is what it has become. I have to protect myself and my assets. There are some good women out there and I do not have anything against kids, but I have to be vigilant. Nothing personal but I don’t trust anyone anymore.
Getting really tired of bad news and negative articles. It’s depressing and could lead one to say what’s the freaking point of trying to educate the public when the general public doesn’t get this information. Instead time is wasted with cowardly politicians and media outlets who’s agenda is to discredit or ignore facts to line their pockets (same for politicians) If we do get a media outlet to give us a fair interview they usually have a small audience and no one in it that can make a difference. I was in a very depressed state when I caught my charge in group therapy I learned I need to avoid being in that state mind for to long because bad things happen (never another sex offense) things that are healthy for me or the one’s I love so I’m considering discontinuing reading anything else here I want to help but without a seeing some significant progress or any progress here in Florida not some place else but here all I’m getting is more and more depressed. I’m about to come up on my 8 year anniversary of being on the registry I was more optimistic about regaining some semblance of a normal life back then now I’m told I can’t even get a job collecting garbage. Unfreaking believable Thanks for reading and letting me rant
Write to these companies. If enough of us stand up, they will listen.
@Iservedmytym
Let me suggest that you start your own business even if it’s cutting grass that can lead into landscaping business work your way out of this you CAN do it!!!
I hear what you’re saying DS and that’s a good idea, but WHY should we HAVE to start our own company?? That takes time, money that we don’t have, and more effort than any of us have time for because of having to go to therapy, probation reporting, sheriff’s office to register, DMV to register a new address, etc. etc. iservedmytym is right. No one wants to listen to our cause and the ones that do are a small audience usually made up of people who have been affected by someone on the registry. No lawyer or politician wants to touch our case or help us because IT DOES NOT BENEFIT THEM! That’s the bottom line with all of this. He’s right, it’s all about GREED in this freakin’ country. I can’t stand this country anymore. It has become so evil, so corrupt, so selfish, and a world wide bully to other countries. I do not wear red, white, and blue anymore and if I could, I would disown my citizenship and move to another country. Julian Assange has the right idea. And look what’s happening to him! The only people I have respect for are the military guys, especially from Vietnam and wars before that time. I also respect today’s servicemen because they actually think they’re doing a good thing, and I can’t fault them for that. And on top of that, these state govts and even the local county govts have gotten so corrupt too that it’s all about lobbyists, corporations, and rich donors. Those are the ONLY ONES that get to “play” in this system. Write all the letters you want, sue the crap out of whoever you want, protest till your blue in the face, it doesn’t amount to a hill of beans. It all comes down to the judge/councilman/politician deciding on any given case and who has him/her by the balls moneywise and which master they are going to serve. And I can assure you, the average joe like me and you are NOT the ones they are going to choose to serve. Nobody in the legal system/politics has any morals or character anymore. It’s just about them, their families, and their careers. Period. And you all know I’m right.
@MJ
This link is from Scott my very good friend and my Army brother.
https://sosen.org/blog/2017/11/22/combat-veteran-motivation.html
Good for him. Not all of us are Army strong.
@MJ
It’s called psycho-cybernetics it works!
Yes I agree GREED.. so lets do some numbers.
if you are required to register the minimum of 2 times a year. Each time is approx 15.00 x 2 = $ 30.00 a year. Now take that a multiply that by lets just a nice round number of 1000 registrants that would come out to $30,000.00 a year. Again another 30,000 for the ones required to register 4 times a year. It is all about the money. I would sure like to know what they are doind with this money as well.
Now you have to also include the cost of having to have your drivers license updated another $25.00 approx. each time you move, or each time you have to get another job because the last one fired you.. all this money adds up and that is why they are not wanting to change this. Nothing to do with treating us like people. Yes have made a mistake, screwed up, so has everyone. But we cant move on. instead we are here to suffer and be consitent reminder every single day for the rest of our lives. We are even peered down upon while at the sherriffs office when you have to update your registration. They look at you as if they just removed dog crap from the bottom of their boots.
@DS Thank you for the suggestion but I did landscaping work 20+ years ago when I was much younger and in better physical condition even then I couldn’t wait to get out of the demanding Florida sun at this stage of my life I couldn’t see myself going back to that I have other skills I just want the chance to use them to support my family without killing myself I’m to old for that sh%&t now.
I had tried to get a busniess license and was turn down because of my being a convicted felon/sexual offender. You could try it under the radar but you won’t be able to even get busniness insurance because of it.
Wow, what a shock! I am not surprised by this at all. Many corporations who hire ex felons “neglect” to mention that they don’t hire sex offenders until you fill out the application form.
When I was released from Bay CF in 2014, I even went to some of these “Christian” organizations for assistance, and as soon as they found out what I am, their hypocrisy was painfully evident; “oh, we DON’T help sex offenders”.
I just looked at him and after my rant, I told him “thank you,bless you, F@#K YOU and have a nice day”! And this is here in good ole jackoffville. The one thing I cannot tolerate is hypocrisy and as long as there is breath in my body, I WILL correct a person on their ignorance and apathy whether it’s my po, “brainwashing class”(treatment class), cop, neighbors or whoever!!
THIS BULLS*** HAS TO STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr. Smith….Hmmm. You wouldn’t happen to be talking about so called Prisoners for Christ would you??? Hee hee hee. I live in haha, jackoffville too and I totally agree with what you’re saying. And guess what? The only reason these so-called “Christian” ministries help anyone but SO’s is because of the funding they get. No ministry, or any group for that matter, that helps SO’s, can get any kind of grant money. See, IT ALL GOES BACK TO THE FREAKIN MONEY!!! The Bible says that the “love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” And boy is that such a true statement. Florida and other states sell their soul to the federal govt to run these sex stings all in order to get a measley 3 million a year from them. Just go online and do a google search about how many federal grants county sheriffs offices get to run different operations. It’s absurd! So yeah, these people that run these “ministries” are nothing more than hypocrites. You should ask them, show me in the Bible where Jesus said anyone can come into the Kingdom of Heaven except……. Oh yeah, and also remind them that they’re obviously forgetting the words of Jesus in John 6:37 where He said “whoever comes to me I will NEVER drive away.” And also ask them is the reason why they won’t help SO’s have anything to do with federal grant money??? Good for you for calling them out on their bullsh*t!
Send lawers, guns, and money!
There will be a day in someone’s life when a “Sex Offender” is their only hope !!. Be it a Robbery, And a Sex Offender is there to stop it, Be it a Accident, And a Sex Offender is there to give First Aid, Be it someone drowning, And a Sex Offender is there to save their life, And when that day comes And the EX OFFENDER does assist that person because of how everyone treats a EX Offender, Then Maybe, Just maybe people will open their eyes and realize that a EX Offender is no different than any other EX CON !!!. If every Ex Offender turned their backs on everyone, And treated everyone like they are treated, How long do you think people would stand for it ???. The old saying fits a Ex Offender so well !!. Don’t judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in “HIS” Shoes !!!.
Meant to say Does NOT assist them !!
Sorry but I can’t agree with that approach. I hope I’m there to save a life if possible even if that person doesn’t like me. I have life guard training and cpr .and am athletic and capable if need be. Am a sor and lost good jobs because of it. They never want to know why you are on the list but away assume the worst. I also have a 23 yr old daughter who had to grow up without a dad . I was going through a divorce soon after she was born and had to fight for every visitation when she was 3 I was put on the list ,didn’t involve her her mother didn’t find out till yrs later.But the courts would not order her to comply because of me being on the list. Here is how I came to be on it. I was living in Kansas in 1996 in a simi rural area close to suburbs wooded area behind my house.One evening just after dark 4 kids whom I never saw at the time climbed my fence and were in my back yard when I walked out of my shower into my bedroom naked they said they saw me,I. don’t know because I never saw them. But was charged with lewd and lascivious which at the time didn’t even know what it was. It didn’t come to court till 10 months later .lbelieve now because at the time they hadn’t enacted the sor which I had never heard of then. They didn’t know who to put on it , still don’t. My court appointed attorney told me they would never believe me over the two kids that saw me so I should just go along with them it was just a misdemeanor offence no different than a traffic ticket. So I paid the 50.00 and thought it was over then I learned about all this other stuff. Originally it was a10yr list which now they have changed to 25yrs. I was removed from the list in that state ,now live in Missouri where all registries are permanent,even though what I was convicted of is not a registry offence here.and I was falsely convicted as I now know. I’m sure there are thousands more out there with similar stories.but I don’t hold these injustices against everyone just those responsible.
I didn’t say I wouldn’t help !!! I have too good of a heart to turn away from someone in need of help !! Regardless of what happens to me !!. I was a Volunteer Fire Fighter and a Reserve Deputy back in the early 90’s. I’m also a (Expired now of course) Certified First Responder. Current CPR, Rescue Diver(Health has stopped that tho !). And feel I was born to help people !! BUT that’s not what I’m saying !! Everyone in the General Public hates a Ex Offender and would rather see them DEAD than see them Free to walk among the public !! What I’m saying is, IF all Ex Offenders Started treating the Public like the Public has and is treating them !!!!! Maybe things would change (at least a little bit I’d hope !!). I mean think about it this way !!!. A KNOWN Sex Offender get into a Vehicle Accident and needs First Aid or they will DIE !!!!, And someone comes along and KNOWS this Ex Offender !! And chooses not to help said Offender because the General Public thinks they ALL deserve to DIE !! I’ll bet my LIFE that that person that didn’t help the Offender wouldn’t get into ANY kind of trouble and would be Praised as a HERO for letting one more piece of Scum die and Be GONE !!. They would say, “At least that Guy can’t harm another Child !!! Hurray He’s Gone !!. But Switch places with the Ex Offender and Joe Schmo, And The EX Offender NOT help anyone hurt that needs First Aid to prevent death !! AND I BET THE EX OFFENDER GOES TO PRISON FOR NOT HELPING !! RIGHT ?? Because according to the LAWS of our (Not so) Great Nation, We MUST attempt to HELP ANY PERSON THAT NEEDS IT, As long as we don’t endanger out own life to do it !!. I’ve heard of people going to prison because they didn’t help someone and they died !! It’s called “DUTY TO RESCUE” ! And it’s a LAW !! What I’m saying tho is, If all Ex Offenders treated the public like the public treats all Ex Offenders, I guarantee Law Enforcement would find a way to punish the Ex Offenders for it !!!. I mean, They are punishing us for every other thing they can possibly punish us for, Why not punish us for turning our backs on the very people that have turned their backs on us !!!!!!!!!!. Yes, I would DIE trying to save ANYONE !! But Who would DIE trying to save me ???.
There are still some good compassionate people out there. Unfortunately these people are getting fewer and further between. Most people unfortunately believe the propaganda being perpetrated by the news media and legislators/law enforcement. There is no easy solution to this problem. We just have to keep on fighting the good fight. I have and will continue until things get straightened out or I die.
Send lawers, guns, and money! Because the shit has hit the fan!
After reading other posts I’m to add a few more details. The two yrs prier to this my home was burglarized 10 times by a15 yr old who ran with the kids involved.I told the police who he was and that he was looking for a gun. They didn’t believe me .afew weeks after my conviction this person and one of the kids involved in my case were arrested for breaking into a police car and stealing several guns. Also the reason it took so long to court is 5 times before this a date was set ,I went to court just to find out the prosecution got a continuation . I think they were trying to run up my attorney fees and wear me out so I would go along with there plea bargain. It’s one of there tactics.