In Franklin County, it’s a two part process: registrants check in with the records department, then cross the street to check in with a deputy from the Sheriff’s Office by calling a posted phone number. It needs to be done in person, and the pandemic has not changed that.
Ruppel says that’s a problem. He says people in the office don’t stay six feet apart, and many people have no choice but to take public transit to register, which further puts their health at risk.
“It begs the question: If one is walking down here to just get a phone number and call it, why can that phone number just be given out ahead of time for people to call?” Ruppel says.
Ruppel was a high school music teacher who served time for texting inappropriately with some of his students. Now he’s an advocate, and says he’s disappointed that maintaining the registry is prioritized above the risk of spreading COVID-19.
“When do I get to watch the commercials on TV that say, ‘We’re all in this together’ and really feel like I’m included in that?” he says. “I did what I did. I broke the law. I took advantage of my position of authority. I targeted people who were underage. Absolutely. Guilty. I served my time. But when do I get to be human again?”
LISTEN: https://cpa.ds.npr.org/wosu2/audio/2020/05/sex_offense_web.mp3
I am still surprised that RSO’s are surprised no one cares about us at all especially the RSO’s that have been RSO’s for a while. To add to the story for all of you self employed now possibly unemployed RSO’s while the quarantine is happening i found a gem when applying for assistance from the federal government. Some of the funds they are distributing for those in need have only one asterisk on who qualifies. It clearly states on the site for people who want a loan or grant to keep their business afloat until this pandemic is over that says no funds or loans are to be distributed to any company that has a sex offender as an officer. That hits me personally as i am on as an officer in my company here in Florida. So that is another swift kick in the crotch for you. i tried to take myself off but it said if i was on there as of 01/01/2020 we did not qualify. I know an RSO who did get assistance but i was also told the government will go through their records and if they missed something they will demand the money back one way or another even going as far as to say that we broke the law applying for funds we knew we didn’t qualify for. I hope everyone is OK out there but Please stop being surprised on how badly we are treated it will make your life a whole lot easier when it happens
You are right, don’t be surprised – be pissed off just like any of the “good” unregistered citizens would be if their rights were being shit on as is done to us.
What motivation does anyone have when good behavior is not rewarded in any manner whatsoever! NONE
We do not have basic human rights. We are excluded from the society yet not allowed leave.
I did nothing but was fooled into taking a plea 20 years ago and then have had to live with more shit piled in yearly ever since and all done so retroactively!
@No Hope….you did not read the PPP application in it’s entirety. No where does it state that line that you posted and I challenge you to prove me wrong by posting it from the SBA and pointing out the specific verbiage that you are referring to. I am not an advocate for hopelessness or fear mongering within the community as we have enough bs to deal with when it comes to the laws to register etc as an RSO. Please do your due diligence before posting something so irresponsibly.
Take it up with FAC:
https://floridaactioncommittee.org/sba-loans-offer-resources-for-small-business-owners-except-sex-offenders/
NM, that’s 105 comments to get through. Going to assume No Hope not lying when they say “it clearly states on the site.”
@Jacob,
Unless you own a Business….and moreover for everyone else…..COVID-19 and the state of affairs is not static. It is highly volatile and dynamic ever-changing minute by minute let alone month-to-month. That being said the information on that link was relevant the DAY it posted but not TODAY. It has since changed and does NOT apply to the PPP process. Again, before posting a comment be responsible and read through previous relevant posts as well as comments.
You are completely wrong and being ignorant. The regulation is still the same. Sex offenders do not qualify for loans and grants- PERIOD Stop arguing a point that has already been established and proven!
@ Jed,
With this post this will be my last. Those of you that own a Business. Please be advised that the above link goes to the EIDL (Economic Impact Disaster Recovery Loan) that is a $10K Grant for Businesses to use for things such as rent, utilities etc. The counterpoint that I was making was for the PPP and the language of those classified as a Sex offender / person required to register has been removed. This is CONFIRMED as I am an RSO Business owner that was awarded the PPP.
The PPP is specifically for payroll (75-100%) and is granted at 2.5 times the payroll amount and is a loan provided by the SBA but without the overbearing language.
From here it is up to each of you to make your own determination as to what you want to believe but I personally applied in early April and was awarded the loan last week.
Best of luck to you all.
Also @no hope it would really help you to read through previous posts as this has already been addressed here:
https://floridaactioncommittee.org/sba-loans-offer-resources-for-small-business-owners-except-sex-offenders/