PLEASE COMMENT ON THE SOURCE: What do you think about Jacksonville not enforcing the sign requirement for sex offenders on Halloween?
Two registered sex offenders filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Jacksonville because they want to decorate for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and other holidays. Thursday, the offenders asked the judge to pause the city sign requirement outside their home because they believe it’s unconstitutional.
Sex offenders in Jacksonville are required to have signs posted outside their home that read “no candy or treats here” so that children don’t trick-or-treat at their homes on Halloween. Because of the lawsuit, the city of Jacksonville has agreed not to enforce the sign requirement while the case is under judicial review.
Parents will need to check the sex offender registry before they go trick-or-treating if they want to avoid those homes.
We want to hear from you. What do you think about the city not enforcing the sign requirement for sex offenders on Halloween?
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS!!!
Discover more from Florida Action Committee (FAC)
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I think the city is on the right track and their actions are good faith. Best action is the rescind of the city ordinance. The city should publicize that parents are responsible to ensure their children are safe when trick or treating, and all minor children should be accompanied by a responsible older child who can accept the responsibility for younger ones. Any child can be subject to illegal behavior by any unscrupulous or nefarious thug or villain. Vulnerable children should not be out on this night unsupervised, and parents will be the first to be held accountable for dangers to unsupervised children.
What’s next, a sign around my neck, a tstoo on my forehead. But if you murdered someone years agon different rules ! Going on 25 years of agony now.
Please share your thoughts on the source article.
Submitted, saying if RSOs make trick or treating so dangerous, don’t do it.
A side note, I wouldn’t trust the city of Jacksonville on anything. Don’t be surprised if there is a roundup of registrants the day after Halloween for unauthorized contact with minors.
I sent in my resounding NO! to their survey.
It is important for others to do so as this particular news station always announces the results of their surveys live on air. We need for the viewers/public to see that there is much opposition.
The survey does give you about a line and a half for a statement. I only had room to write “93% of minors know their perpetrator.” I need someone to comment on the following:
At least 90% of future sex offenses will be by people NOT on the registry. Evidence-Based Recidivism Meta-Analysis Study 2021.pdf
The only safe way to protect your child on Halloween is to personally accompany them yourself.
There is NO research showing that these ordinances are effective.
These ordinances are extremely punitive to the family members who live with the person on the registry, particularly for their children.
Evidence shows that there is no connection at all between Halloween and sexual harm done to children.
Boston Review, “Halloween and Stranger Danger”, Oct. 31, 2019: Almost all sex crimes committee by strangers on Halloween are committed by people NOT on the registry.
Boston Review: Children are ten times likelier to be struck by a car on Halloween than on any other day.
The stranger danger is based on myths.
Association for the Treatment of Sex Abusers: There is no change in the rate of sexual crimes by non-family members during Halloween.
Association for the Treatment of Sex Abusers: The crimes that do increase around Halloween are vandalism and property destruction, as well as theft, assault, and burglary.
Emily Horowitz, Huffington Post 2014: Research shows no evidence of increased child sex abuse on Halloween.
Jill Levenson ATSA 2014: Using national incident-based reporting system crime report data from 1997-2005, there were no significant increases in sex crimes on or around Halloween.
140 charaters is not a lot of space but I made a submission. I just said it should never have passed in thr first place, is unconstitutional, and based on vengeance.
A lot of questions:
Does this apply to just the two plaintiffs?
Can they decorate their house? Or are the just forced to not place a visible sign and sit alone in the dark?
What about other holidays and special events?
Anonymous – this is a news story. There is no court order attached to it. If you have questions about your personal situation please reach out to the Jacksonville/Duval registration office.
In the hearing this morning the city attorney was really vacillating on what are reasonable decorations. The ordinance is going to have to be changed whether by order or negotiation. The process has started.