How two county coordinators were able to make changes for the better in their county sex offender ordinance

A Florida Action Committee county coordinator found out about the Hernando sex offender/predator ordinance on February 2, 2023, by reading the Hernando Sun, a local paper.  A Call to Action was posted by Florida Action Committee on February 5, 2023.  

The following are just some of the proposals in the ordinance that was passed earlier this year:

• Would prohibit people on the registry from residing within 1,000 feet of schools, daycare centers, playgrounds, public libraries, religious institutions, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities.
• Would not allow people on the registry 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. There is also wording on the wearing of costumes, make-up, and masks.
• Posting of “No candy or treats here” signs at the residences of registrants on Halloween.
• No displays for any nationally or locally recognized holiday or seasonal event or practice are to be visible from the exterior of the residence, if such displays are primarily targeted to lure a child.
• Cannot enter or remain within the 1000-foot buffer zones surrounding schools, daycares, etc.
• Read the entire Hernando Ordinance here.

In the words of the above-mentioned FAC member and county coordinator: The ordinance had already passed on January 24, but the article did not say this.  So, I called my county commissioner, John Allocco, on February 3.  He texted me back on February 5.  From then, until April 21, I was in ongoing contact with Anita, my co-coordinator in Hernando County and Commissioner Allocco through calls and texts.  I also reached out to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office for clarification regarding the ordinance but was often told they “couldn’t provide legal advice.”

Finally, my co-coordinator and I met with Commissioner Allocco about the ordinance on April 21, sharing our concerns, mainly that the Halloween sign part of the ordinance had already been declared unconstitutional based on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling from January of 2022.  We also shared our concern that the 1000-foot buffer zone around nursing homes and assisted living facilities would bar me from visiting my father (a 26-year Army veteran) if he had to live in one of these facilities.  As well, my co-coordinator and I discussed about allowing those on the registry to attend other activities in the buffer zones.  Commissioner Allocco allowed us to suggest new language for the ordinance.  As we wrapped up the meeting, Mr. Allocco said he would look into possible changes.

In late May or early June, I texted Mr. Allocco to see about the changes.  He said legal was looking into it.

Sunday, July 9, I received a text from Danell in Indian River County telling me the Hernando Board of County Commissioners would vote on amending the ordinance to remove the Halloween sign language.  

On Monday, July 10, I contacted the sheriff’s office to notify them of my intent to attend the county commissioner’s meeting on July 11 (24-hour notice as per the ordinance), and went to the sheriff’s office on July 11 to verify I was good to go.

At the meeting on July 11, the BOCC dramatically changed the ordinance with the following:  removal of the registration fee and Halloween sign language; changing the buffer zone language from “may not enter or remain within a 1000-foot buffer zone of certain places” to “may not loiter or prowl within a 1000-foot buffer zone.”  Specific allowances to “visit a relative in a nursing home facility, ALF, or hospital” were added.

From FAC leadership:  Because of the tenacity of two FAC members, who happened to also be county coordinators, a county ordinance, which could have been unbearable for the people required to register in Hernando County, became a little more bearable until the day comes when all laws and ordinances that go with the registry are finally taken down.

Registrants in Hernando County are far from having all the draconian restrictions placed on them from being completely removed, but they have made a good start.   This was accomplished by just two people speaking up.

We want to thank these two FAC members for setting an example of how to begin making some small but positive changes in our efforts to bring down the registry and all its accompanying, insane laws.

We also saw this past spring how the Florida Legislature was pressured into letting certain bills die.  This was accomplished by the many people in Florida and throughout the country who contacted our legislators through calls, emails, and the U.S. Mail to oppose these punitive bills.

We are just beginning to see the power in numbers grow and the resulting positive effects.

Every email/call gets heard and tallied.  Every respectful conversation with an elected official is an excellent opportunity to change a mind about our community.  YOUR EFFORTS DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!