New local laws bar sex offenders from celebrating popular holidays
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — With the holidays upon us, local law enforcement warns parents: there are more sinister things, than ghost, goblins, and things that go bump in the night.
In early 2015, Duval County made changes to its sexual offender ordinance, and the new laws were just in time for Halloween.
Former city councilman Warren Jones spearheaded the laws which were ratified in February.
“We had some legal loopholes that some of the sexual predators and offenders were exploiting,” former City Council member Warren Jones said.
Like not being allowed to wear masks related to a holiday or seasonal event.
“Especially during Halloween, where they were painting their faces. So the law didn’t address painting your face, so we amended that,” said Warren.
According to city-data.com, there are more than 2000 registered sex offenders living in Florida.
Offenders and predators are also barred from putting up decorations. Jones said offenders will put decorations up weeks before a holiday, then, take them down on the observance day – once again finding a loop hole and exploiting it.
“My eyes are always on her,” Jacksonville mom, Marianna Whitten said.
Whitten said she takes as many precautions as possible to protect her nine-year-old daughter.
I check websites to see how many registered sex offenders live in the neighborhood’s we plan to go trick-or-treating in, Whitten said.
However, Whitten said she still plans to dress her daughter up year after year.
“It’s really scary but you still have to let them be kids. Just have your eyes on your children, always,” said Whitten.
“There are bad apples everywhere and you can’t let people like that spoil it for the kids,” said Colon.
There are additional rules: On Halloween from 6 a.m. until midnight, sex offenders and predators have to post a sign at their homes which say “no candy or treats here”.
Sexual offenders and predators also have to turn off all outside lights on Halloween, or the day it is celebrated.
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When the sheriffs dept. goes on craigs list and advertises for sex and shows a picture of an 18 year old girl, that’s entrapment, especially for the 18 year old boys or early 20 ones. Even if they don’t travel to meet them, they’re still convicted and sentenced to prison. They have to register as a sex offender for the rest of their life. Their life is ruined forever. The sheriffs dept. should not be allowed to lie. This only causes people not to ever trust them. This entrapment needs to stop.
There is no connection between sex offenders and halloween crimes. Period. It’s time to stop the Salem Witch Trials. Unsupervised children can be killed by a car and have been. Those that have done their time have paid for their crime. It’s time to stop these unconstitutional laws. Double jeopardy. The Scarlett Letter. http://floridaactioncommittee.org/experts-no-connection-between-registered-sex-offenders-and-halloween/#comment-2609