Notes on the Brevard County Police Community Relations Meeting

The meeting was a forum consisting of officials from Brevard County courts and Brevard County law enforcement. These included:

• Circuit Judge – Judge John D. Galluzzo
• State Attorney Phil Archer
• Public Defender Blaise Trettis
• Palm Bay Police Department – Deputy Chief James Rogers
• Melbourne Police Department – Chief Steve Mimbs
• Department of Corrections – Circuit Administrator Rachel Richardson

 

Unfortunately, the major Vic DeSantis was ill and unable to show, and had no replacement like the State Attorney had when not being able to attend.

 

• Brevard County Sheriff Office – Major Vic DeSantis

 

The forum started out with a question by Gail Colletta (now remember, no registrants were allowed in this building due to a Brevard County proximity ordinance, although it was from 7-9:00 at night). Her question addressed a Brevard County ordinance: “This event is advertised as a Community forum, inviting citizens to come out and ask questions from leaders in the judicial system. A group of registered citizens wanted to come ask questions, but were told that they could not because of Brevard Ordinance 74-102(b) which prohibits registered sexual offenders from entering into or remaining within an exclusion zone, and this Community center being within such a zone. How do you reconcile these individual’s first amendment rights to attend a public meeting of interest to them, by holding it at a location that is inaccessible to them?”

There were several replies. Host Yvonne stepped up first to reply and explained the expense with other locations… this basically being the only location that was free to the public, and unfortunately that excluded sex offenders. Public Defender Blaise Trettis said it best in his reply about the over-zealous laws created by legislation pertaining to the sex offense issue. I believe it was the State Attorney who sidestepped the issue, along with Melbourne Police Department chief Steve Nimbs stepping-in and basically suggesting that this issue wasn’t relating/appropriate to this forum, but should be taken up with the County Commissioners who created the ordinance.

 

A bit later, another question was asked by another member of FAC, and of course, her question, which could have been addressed by police officials , “Has the county considered studies on the effectiveness of residency restrictions and proximity ordinances before enacting these restrictions? If not, on what basis were they passed? Would this panel reconsider endorsing this ordinance if we supplied studies showing they are not only ineffective but harm public safety more than it helps?”

 

(Maybe the question could have been reworded to say, how would a law enforcement officer be able to show just cause for an arrest when it came to this ordinance, if the suspected cannot see what is behind or around a building where he/she is shopping, or something to that affect. All in all, the answer went to go talk to your County Commissioners.)

 

Another member from FAC asked: “If a registered citizen comes from another county to visit; example my son or friend (where this ordinance is not applicable) visits my home for Christmas or another holiday. He goes shopping to pick up a last minute gift or even milk run at a nearby store where this Brevard ordinance is under jurisdiction, can he be in violation and arrested?”

 

Again, her concern was countered with, “talk to your County Commissioner”. Later, after the meeting I talked with a member of the law enforcement. I asked if there was a way for an offender to have a map to show proximity to any probable violation to avoid arrest. He said he thought there were maps, and mentioned, they could always go to Google Earth. (I thought, how would this be possible if an offender doesn’t have Internet on their phone. Some offenders don’t even have phones.)

 

So again, this goes to show how broken the system has become because of sex offender laws created in Tallahassee and piled to where it is a mountain that no one can climb. Judges, lawyers, corrections and law enforcement are all torn by these vague and overly-stringent laws, as well as Florida citizens who don’t understand this issue at all.

 

When a woman, not within our FAC group, asked if sex offenders can be rehabilitated, Department of Corrections, Circuit Administrator Rachel Richardson commented and disclosed they do have therapy after release but never gave her a direct answer. I wish she would have expounded on how they have life registry, cannot find jobs, cannot find housing; thus creating a unsafe and unproductive environment for everyone. And maybe even mention the recidivism rate, which is extremely low for sex offenders compared to any other offense. How sex offenders are labeled and lumped into one vicious category, which is untrue for most.

 

(But that would have never happened)

 

Overall, the questions asked were answered but the subject of sex offender had been avoided entirely, or the speakers were trying hard to get around the whole sex offender matter, while understanding after media hysteria and legislative intent. Which to me whatever question asked about the sex offender situation becomes a matter of public safety; either for a registrant or any citizen of Brevard County.

 

I don’t doubt the discussion talked deeply about with trespassing, drugs and prostitution as being a real concern, but as the many laws have been created by the State of Florida, as well as the stringent ordinances enforced by Brevard County about sex offenders, you would have thought there would’ve been more discussion on the matter, instead of ignoring it.

 

I think having someone that knows facts, maybe even an individual from FAC, to be on a panel such as this in your area would be extremely beneficial and educational for any community. (So contact FAC at (904) 438-8FAC, and let them know that you want to attend the next upcoming meeting in your county)

 

I think it comes down to what many don’t understand and fear talking about.