Member Submission: What would you do?
I could really use some advice. I’ve been living in a high-crime, high-poverty neighborhood ever since I started registering, more than 20 years ago. Since my house is surrounded within a mile radius by a very large number of people required to register, I’ve expected to remain at peace regarding protesters. However, today, a little black boy, probably about 10 years old, surrounded by other younger children, knocked on my door. I didn’t answer until after a second knock and a few moments later. By then, the kid had made his way back out to my front yard. When I acknowledged him, he said to me “do you wanna suck my dick?”. I asked him what he said (I really couldn’t tell), and he repeated the question. This kid looks like a real bad boy, too. I went to get my camera so I could get a short video of him and to see whether he would repeat his question to me so that I could record. While I did, I heard something hit my car. When I got outside with my camera, he had already walked off of my property to the side of my house. I sat down on my porch, freaking out, in case he returned, since I didn’t want to escalate things. He didn’t return. Now, I’m debating whether to file a report with the police. If I don’t, I may regret it later, should the kid or someone else accuse me of anything illegal. If I do, I may attract unwanted police attention and may even look suspicious, like I’m trying to cover something up. I also expect that his parents, or even he, would retaliate, should law enforcement contact his household. I still don’t have any picture or video of him. This could be something that’s just a fluke and will not happen again. However, if I was targeted because he’s aware that I’m on the registry, I’m scared. While I’m not too worried about actually being successfully prosecuted for any crime, I am very nervous about possibly getting arrested or my house being vandalized, should the kid or his friends/parents target me as a registrant. I’m only one of the few white men in my neighborhood, and for some of my neighbors, that’s enough to dislike me. I think one of the other early-teen boys down the road may have ID’d me as a registrant several months ago, using his cell phone as he passed by my house. The kids in my hood can be generally aggressive, nasty and destructive. Any advice on what to do would really help me, thanks. It’s great to have a place like FAC to turn to when I’m scared like this.
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Oh
I forgot to add the most important thing in addition to cameras. Invest in a couple of good “No trespassing” signs. If the police are called and these trouble makers show up again, they can be arrested for Trespass after warning. I have one on the garage door, one on the front door (a smaller sticker type on door) and signs on both sides of our property.
You need to check the Florida law on Trespass After Warning here: FSS 890.10. You need more than signs for the charge to stick in Florida (although posting No Trespassing signs is a good idea). Good article about trespassing can be found here:https://www.theadvocateforyou.com/legal-blog/2018/may/trespass-after-warning-is-not-as-simple-as-it-so/#:~:text=by%20the%20officer.-,Fla.,in%20front%20of%20the%20officer.
An affirmative defense to trespassing (in Florida) is that LE must see the offense occur in his/her presence under Fla. Stat. § 901.15 (1) because the law as written requires that for an officer to place a person under arrest for a misdemeanor such as Trespass in a Structure or Trespass After Warning, the crime must occur in front of the officer.
Bob
If someone is trespassing on your property you cannot physically detain them as a citizen because the person has to be able to have a chance to leave or you are kidnapping.
If someone commits a robbery, break in, or other felony, you can detain and hold them until law enforcement arrives. The trespassing was not my main point. Just having the signs, cameras etc is another layer of protection. Whether it does any good depends on the bad guy and on the officers who show up.
There are a lot of variables. For example, I gave two true stories from personal experience. One where calling the police stopped the incidents from two boys and never saw them on my street again. The other incident the kid on the motor cycle was tearing down my yard again 5 minutes after the cops left. Some people feel untouchable and invincible.
Bob
I use to be a cop. I was not saying the trespass signs were your first warning, I was saying if you have the signs, then call the cops and they issue a written trespass warning, and the same people come back on your property, they can be arrested for trespass after warning and also for disobeying a direct order from law enforcement.
Some cops are lazy and do not arrest anyone no matter they do. Some cops are aggressive and arrest someone just for looking at them funny. I was somewhere in between and always tried to hear both sides of the argument and come up with a compromise or solution if possible.
Where I use to live the cops didn’t do anything to anyone they are lazy. Where I live now, if you fart on a friday they arrest you for disturbing the peace. And yes, a sign, a camera, locks, an alarm doesn’t or won’t stop everyone. But for those who may have a tad of common sense, maybe you can stop one or two incidents.
I did have this one guy on a motorcycle who would drive across the sidewalk in front of my camera and flick me off everyday for hours at a time. The cops came once because another neighbor called and all they did was tell him not to ride on the sidewalk. After they left he was right back on the sidewalk.
Thanks for the link by the way
You didn’t mention why you want to stay there? Family close by or a good job? Personally I would not stay in Florida if I were a person required to register. But if that was what you wanted I would DEFINATELY start with a camera. I have a simple one watching my front door and cars. It sends notices to my phone when activated by movement and is powered by sunlight (plenty of power in FL for that!). If you cant afford one I would even chip in or buy you one.
I too would report it, AFTER my camera was installed. As is always the case, doing nothing tells the perpetrators it was OK to do what they did – and it’s NOT OK.
Concerning weapons, my son was also told he couldn’t even have a hammer or baseball bat by the front door – lifetime parole – my personal favorite is a big dog, with a deep bark. Many people are scared of big dogs, especially black dogs, and there are plenty at the shelter who need homes.
Take care and be well.
You are so right!! As a 95lb female required to register I got myself a large black dog. Lab/shepherd mix… 15 yrs later she’s still my best friend and my best form of protection in the physical security aspect.
You can get a super cheap surveillance set up these days. I’d absolutely make a report. But That video proof is priceless. You can get them at Harbor Freight just to name one place super cheap..Cameras alone will stop a lot of people from doing something stupid..
I would not hesitate to report it. Most people of color would rather not have interactions with law enforcement given the perception of police/minority interactions so that is usually enough to get them to back off.
Also, I would not only invest in security cameras, I would post warning signs and maybe even fence in the yard.
What weapons can registrants in Floriduh have? Look into that.
That said, EVERY registrant who can have security cameras should. Especially if you have no restrictions and can have WiFi. WyzeCams are $25-$30 each and they have 2-week cloud recording for free. The peace of mind from having these up is worth 10x what it costs in money and effort. I have more than five of them surrounding my house, capturing all angles.
https://smile.amazon.com/Vision-Indoor-Outdoor-Camera-Assistant/dp/B08R59YH7W
Please don’t delay. Get some cameras installed ASAP.
File a police report. Get cameras installed to monitor your property. WYZE Cam is an inexpensive independent security camera that is easy to set up.