First, the display of religious symbols is protected by the US Constitution. If one were to put up a nativity scene in front of their house, it is protected. The nativity scene must NOT include a snow man or “Santa” because the US Supreme Court ruled that if a Christmas display in front of a municipal building also includes reindeer, “Santa” or a snowman, then, even if a nativity scene is present, it is a general holiday display and is no longer religious and safe to place in front of public buildings. So a nativity scene IS safe for municipalities to display, as long as other holiday symbols are also present, making the entire scene, not religious. Therefore the nativity scene ALONE is considered by the Supreme Court AS religious so therefore, it must be protected!

Now a sex offender can own rental property and it appears that he would have to insure his renters do not place decorations in front of the property. Since ownership of the property limits the decorations that can be present, a sex offender could establish and LLC to protect himself. Since the property would then be owned by the LLC by the renters of the property can place as many decorations in front of the house as they want to.

@Roger, well in Duval, the ordinance specifically states that “beliefs” (religious events) are not exempt:

“Any person designated a Sexual Offender or Sexual Predator shall 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.”

Under definitions “practice” is defined as:

“means to carry out or perform any particular activity or method that may celebrate or recognize a particular season, customs or beliefs.”

This restricts religious freedom since we cannot display a manger scene or anything that may be construed (by politicians/law enforcement) “to entice, attract, or lure a child.”

Additionally, the language of the ordinance is contradictory in that it states:

“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.”

So let’s say that an event is not “primarily targeted toward non-familial children,” but one happens to be present. Violation? The further contradiction comes under exemptions where the ordinance also states:

“The Sexual Offender or Sexual Predator may attend if such person is the parent or guardian of the child or children involved and only those familial children are present.”

So even if the event is not “primarily targeted toward non-familial children,” the registrant cannot attend if just one “non-familial child” is present? Would the exemption even apply if the event is not “primarily targeted toward non-familial children?”

Very confusing and open to multiple interpretations by LEOs and courts.

I am also in West Pasco County and can attest that the detectives who work in the registry department are very integral. On several occasions I have been told by them that they want to see any of the registered citizens they oversee succeed. They have ZERO desire to look for reasons to reincarcerate us.

Great to hear. I’m glad things went well. Sane for me. No visit at all. No issues. Just a great night. Again, the politicians are the true issue. Officers just enforce what they’re told to, often without understanding of the statutes because politicians write them so ambiguously. I think that do crap like that on purpose to try to trap us. But the so unit knows our rights. Some of these other counties and states, and how they treat us, they should be ashamed. They represent the constitution? Again I say, arrogant assholes. Worthless in many ways.

Thanks for the update. I woke up wondering.

If one day Wicca religious decorations are mistaken for “Halloween” decorations some day this entire law may be found unconstitutional. This restriction against “Halloween” decorations sets up a powerful precedent by government to dictate against “Christian” symbols being displayed at Christmas. Based on this law only “Halloween” decorations are prohibited. Next year I recommend sex offenders decorate their homes with Christmas decorations by featuring characters from “A Nightmare Before Christmas”. One would consider if restricting one person’s right to decorate their lawn is a violation of free speech, protected by the US Constitution.

I told y’all I would inform you about whether and LE stopped by my place on Halloween night since my PO said nobody from his office would. I was sceptical. But, I am happy to inform you all that he was not lying as there was no visit from his office or any LE. maybe six years on probation without any violations shows I’m no threat on Halloween or any other day.

Exactly as the officer stated. Like I said, I’ve had nothing but positive from this Detective and I think he took the statutes and clearly explained everything from what I’m able to participate in, why, the risks, and the fact that a citation would be given. I hate living in Pasco but I blame the arrogant commissioners and politicians that think they have never made mistakes or are above us.

Tth, as I suspected, Pasco has a slew of restrictions for registered citizens:

https://library.municode.com/fl/pasco_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTICOOR_CH66OFMIPR_ARTIIOFINPUSA_DIV4SEPRSEOF

Specifically on Helloween (not as onerous as Duval’s, but similar):

Sec. 66-70. – Prohibitions and requirements for sexual offenders and sexual predators on Halloween.

(a) On October 31 of each year or any other day upon which Halloween is celebrated, a sexual offender or sexual predator:
(1) Is prohibited from giving or seeking to give treats to children;
(2) Shall avoid all Halloween related contact with children;
(3) (Except for lighting otherwise provided on a year-round-basis by or to a sexual offender or sexual predator for the purpose of security or walkway or hallway illumination) shall leave all outside residential lighting off during the evening hours after 5:00 p.m., and
(4) Shall not exhibit exterior Halloween-type decorations at his or her residence.

(b) Halloween events or practices in which the sexual offender or sexual predator is the parent, grandparent, or guardian of the child or children involved, and where no non-familial children are present, are exempt from this section.

(Ord. No. 15-09, § 3(66-64), 4-21-15; Ord. No. 16-16, § 3, 8-9-16)

Sec. 66-70.1. – Enforcement.

Sections 66-67 through 66-70 of this division may be enforced only as follows:

(a) Issuance of a county court citation pursuant to section 1-11 of the Pasco County Code. The county attorney’s office shall not request incarceration as a possible penalty for a violation of these provisions, but may seek imposition of a civil fine for violations; (b) Suit for injunction to enforce these provisions through county civil or circuit civil court proceedings.
(Ord. No. 16-16, § 3(66-71), 8-9-16)

Editor’s note— Ord. No. 16-16, adopted Aug. 9, 2016, enacted new provisions to be designated as § 66-71. Inasmuch as there already exists a § 66-71, the new provisions have been redesignated as § 66-70.1.

Wow. I find that exceptionally strange since Pasco is Lunsford country.

Take heed to the immortal words of Admiral Ackbar, “it’s a trap!”

Pasco :/