abcactionnews.com (Tampa) : Investigation - Sex offender ordinance results in only one arrest.
Video report: Sex Offender Ordinance Ineffective.
Hillsborough County, FL - Hillsborough County's commissioners created a supposedly tough ordinance that would ban sex offenders and predators from parks and playgrounds. But in the 12 months since the county's sex offender ordinance has gone into affect, how many arrests has the Sheriff's Department been able to make?
"We've made one," says Captain Alan Hill of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
State Representative Richard Glorioso says the problem with Hillsborough County's ordinance is that it contains so many exceptions, it is operationally ineffective. "Right now that person can be in that park sitting on a bench next to your kids and the officer has no authority to tell them to leave." (because that is a violation of a citizen's constitutional rights)
For instance, while it bans sex offenders and predators from parks and playgrounds, there are exceptions for dropping off their own child, or a friend or relatives child. Or while traveling to and from religious services, and to and from official business.
"Right now that person can be in that park sitting on a bench next to your kids and the officer has no authority to tell them to leave." says Glorioso.
Which is why Representative Glorioso is now introducing a bill that would create a new, tougher statewide law which would close many of the loopholes in the Hillsborough County ordinance. "We do two things. First of all if you a sexual offender or predator on conditional release or probation you will not be allowed in a park, period. If you're in the registry we create a circle of safety of 300 feet around the children where you cannot loiter," says Glorioso. However, even under Glorioso's bill those in the sex offender registry could still visit parks if they stay more than 300 feet away from children.
State Representative Richard Glorioso's Bills:
CS/HB 77 - Sexual Offenders and Predators (killed in 2009)
HB 119 - Sexual Offenders and Predators (alive for 2010)
If you live in this man's district, contact him and tell him what you think (he is your servant).
