One of the biggest problems with the wording of this ordinance is LE’s interpretations of:

“if such practice or event is primarily targeted toward non-familial children”
“if such display is primarily targeted to entice, attract, or lure a child”
“is primarily targeted toward children”

As Andrea noted in this thread:

https://floridaactioncommittee.org/jacksonville-police-2-men-arrested-for-sexual-offender-violations-on-halloween/

The cops will automatically assume you are targeting kids since they made her take down the outside decorations and make her tree invisible from the outside.

A child being hit by a car while trick-or-treating is not part of the agenda and doesn’t fit the mold for the local politicians who have rested their ‘success’ on a false, fake premise.

From what I read here, there is no restriction if one wants to decorate their home for Christmas. That is for the benefit of the resident and not the public, including children. I like a well maintained yard. What if a kid in the neighborhood is a “nice yard geek”? Does that mean I cannot maintain my yard in a well kept condition? This is just an example of how stupid some of these ordinances are. When I was a kid I took pride in maintaining the yard of our family home. I was impressed by other nice looking yards.

“(a)(1) It is unlawful for any Sexual Offender or Sexual Predator to participate in any practice or event, including, but not limited to, any event related to a nationally or locally recognized holiday or seasonal event, if such practice or event is primarily targeted toward non-familial children.

(a)(3)(iv) Not place or allow any display, including but not limited to displays for any nationally or locally recognized holiday or seasonal event or practice, to be visible from the exterior of any Sexual Offender’s or Sexual Predator’s residence, including a vehicle or vessel, or on any property which is leased, rented, owned or occupied by such person, if such display is primarily targeted to entice, attract, or lure a child onto any residence or property, or onto or nearer to any vehicle or vessel rented, owned or occupied by such person. Enforcement of this section shall not be limited to the actual calendar date of any given nationally or locally recognized holiday or seasonal event or practice.

(b)(4) Display is defined as any decoration including, but not be limited to, lighting, figurines, posters, artwork, crystals, bales of hay, scarecrows, etc. which is visible to the public in plain view and is primarily targeted toward children.

(5) Practices means to carry out or perform any particular activity or method that may celebrate or recognize a particular season, customs or beliefs. "


https://library.municode.com/fl/jacksonville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITXIXPUSA_CH685SEOFSEPRRE_S685.104PRACSEOFSEPREX

How do we know that a registered sex offender has never harmed a trick-or-treater?

Because if they did, we would never hear the end of it.

I think it was Guy Hamilton-Smith who pointed this out.

Appreciate your observations and insights as always, SarahF.

James, I did not read your comments before posting my above comments. You live in South Carolina. What is PPP? To whom do you suggest I send my letter? Is The Observer your most widely read newspaper? To whom would it be most beneficial to send a letter: your mayor, ward pro tem, or ward representatives? Or was the child hit outside the city limits?

This is all further documentation for this outstanding Boston Review article. I think law enforcement in Chicago and Greenwood need to read this Boston Review article and hear about what really happened Halloween night in their cities. I am a little nervous about writing to law enforcement agencies. I once trusted all law enforcement officials, but that trust is being eroded slowly for me. Maybe their newspapers will listen or possibly their elected government officials. For those who believe in the power of prayer, I covet your prayers in this matter.

Wait a minute… how the hell would they know if you give your own children gifts at Christmas? (and liberals want big government, go figure). Does this apply to their birthdays as well? This is lunacy! If a bunch of registrants put their money together, you’ve got a class action suit.
And you could always f*ck with the court by saying it wasn’t You that gave them the gifts, it was Santa Clause. LOL. I’d do it. Just to piss them off and make a circus of their shananigans.

Mig,

And they get away with imposing such horseshit because no one challenges them.