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November 10, 2006
Sex Offenders Concern Hillsborough
Topics: NewsCounty Commission & City Council Seeking Answers
Yesterday as I was posting the several news events about sexual predators and offenders I became concerned that maybe I am posting nothing but the negative. After talking with several friends, it is the conscensus that the community has to be aware, it can not be ignored. While the intent of the City Council is to protect our children from sexual predators, it seems like dipping water out of Tampa Bay with a tea cup. CEO's, principals, teachers, security officers and the list goes. This very short list are people who come in contact with our children on a daily basis.
Are these people born with the gene that determines that they will be a predator? Is it the lack of moral fiber within the community? Do the sex businesses fuel a desire within people that is breeding a society of immoral creeps and vermin? Until the judicial system realizes the problem and takes punitive actions to separate these odd ball from society, it is up to every parent, grandparent and guardian to put pressure on those in our government that can enact legislation without loop holes. Amanda Brown, seven years old, has been taken from this earth by a convicted child sexual predator who was released from jail and probation by an ill informed judge who had more concern for the criminal than society. Our hats are off to the Tampa City Council for what they are trying to do and may the Hillsborough County Commission join in and make the Tampa Bay Area a safer haven for our children.
TAMPA - Hillsborough County commissioners will consider matching Tampa's effort to keep some sex offenders from living within 2,500 feet of a school, park or day care center.
They fear that without a similar ordinance in place, unincorporated portions of the county could become a haven for convicted sex offenders and predators.
"It's very clear that if there's not continuity and it's more restrictive in the city, then where do they wind up," said Rich Reidy, an aide for Commissioner Ken Hagan, who put the proposal on Wednesday's county commission agenda.
At least one commissioner is concerned about any unintended consequences resulting from the restriction.
A Tampa Tribune analysis discovered that Tampa's plan would relegate offenders to living in only some of the city's most exclusive neighborhoods, which are farthest from schools, parks and day care centers.
With nearly 1,000 sexual offenders and predators living in unincorporated areas, a 2,500-foot buffer in the county could push sex offenders into rural communities from suburban neighborhoods.
"We want whatever is going to protect our children the best, but we have to be sensible," Commissioner Brian Blair said. "We don't want a knee-jerk reaction that is going to create a problem we don't have."
Hagan's agenda item asks that the county attorney's office draft an ordinance requiring the 2,500-foot buffer. Blair said he will ask that the county also study the issue.
Tampa City Councilman Shawn Harrison proposed a 2,500-foot buffer in the city after some New Tampa residents complained about a convicted sex offender living near Benito Middle and Hunter's Green Elementary schools. In the past year, Gainesville and more than 50 other communities have developed such ordinances to restrict where offenders and predators can live if their victims were younger than 16.
A 2004 state law created a 1,000-foot buffer around schools and parks but allows cities to exceed that limit. Currently, Hillsborough follows the state law.
About 1,430 sexual offenders and predators live in Hillsborough, sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said.
Tampa police have identified about 500 living in the city. Crimes committed by predators are considered more severe than those committed by offenders.
Reporter Mark Holan can be reached at (813) 259-7691 or mholan@tampatrib.com.
Posted by admin at November 10, 2006 4:29 AM
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