Miami Sex Offenders May Get New Home

(AP)  Homeless advocates and county officials intend to move a group of registered sex offenders living under a bridge to private housing this week amid growing criticism - and lawsuits - over the county's ordinance that they must live at least 2,500 feet from places where children gather.

But some offenders are reluctant to move, saying that being told where to live, and with whom, is similar to the prison terms they have already served.

"I'm not in prison anymore," said Reg, a 44-year-old offender who served six years behind bars for molesting a minor. He declined to give his last name for fear he may lose his job as a cook. "I'm a taxpayer, I'm on probation and I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. I don't want to be told to live somewhere."

He is one of about 70 registered offenders living in tents or makeshift huts near a busy bridge that connects Miami to Miami Beach. In the past three years, it's become a shantytown of men on probation who struggle to find affordable housing that doesn't violate Miami-Dade County's strict ordinances against sex offenders living too close to schools, parks and other places frequented by children.

The bulk of the felons living under the bridge - and in tents lining the side of the causeway, in full view of tourists headed to the beach - are on state probation. Department of Corrections officers have been unable to find suitable housing for them in part because of affordability and the local ordinances, and the men have been ordered to live at the bridge so they don't run afoul of the law.

This week, however, the chairman of the county's Homeless Trust said the group will move eight offenders off the property and into an apartment. It's unclear how far the apartment is from the bridge - officials won't say - but several men there said Wednesday that a location in Homestead, some 35 miles south, was under consideration.

"This is the most movement we've had in three years," said Ron Book, the trust's chairman. "But this isn't a long-term solution. The state's got to come to grips that we've got a growing population coming out of the prisons."

Book said that he and other local and state officials are looking for a bigger place to house the remaining people. Under consideration: a vacant county jail. Book said the space could be renovated so the men wouldn't feel like they were incarcerated again.

"That's unacceptable," said Reg, shaking his head.

Earlier this month, the American Civil Liberties Union sued the county, saying the ordinance should be overturned because it's more restrictive than the 1,000-foot limit set by the state. Also this month, the city of Miami sued the state, saying the makeshift camp is too close to a small island park accessible only by boat.

Many in the community are disgusted and fed up with how the issue has been handled.

"Nobody has the courage to talk about this," said Miami City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff. "They don't want to talk about sex offenders. Yet we say to our tourists as they go to the beach, look to your left, look to your right, this is where sex offenders are placed."

Sarnoff blames Gov. Charlie Crist.

"We need a uniform system," said Sarnoff. "We need some ability to place them somewhere."

County Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz also blames the state, pointing out that there are some 3,000 sex offenders in Miami-Dade County, the bulk of whom have found adequate housing.

"The county ordinance didn't prevent them from finding housing," he said. "The state is creating an issue out of an issue."

State officials won't discuss it because legal action is pending but Jo Ellyn Rackleff, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Corrections, said the agency is "really pleased" that local officials are looking for housing alternatives.

The ACLU's Howard Simon said it's great that the folks living at the bridge will soon get homes, but questions whether this will solve the overall problem.

"It's like dealing with the symptoms and not the cause," he said. "It's only a matter of time before there will be another shantytown."

Rigoberto Gonzalez, a 57-year-old who served 16 years in prison on multiple child rape and molestation charges, shrugs when asked where the state should send him. He's been living in a tent under the bridge since he was released in May, and is aided with food and water from friends. Gonzalez has no family - they are all in Cuba - and says he can't work because his green card was taken away when he went to prison.

"If the government pays for an apartment, I'll go," said Gonzalez, in Spanish. "I would prefer to work and pay for an apartment myself. All I ask is that they treat us like people, not animals."

He adds that if he were given the option to return to Cuba - a country he left in 1980 - then he would go back.

"In Cuba, there are human rights."

[ihatebush]

Some of them not even guilty...And posting them on internet is subject of harrasment from people who just hate them...not of all registered sexoffenders real offenders who molest kids,some of them just did stupid mistakes not on purpose ...and now after they did sentece they punished even more...if sexoffender american citizen he supposed to have rights like american citizen...rights to live whrer they want, rights to work, right to travel... This is criminal discrimination...because who commited murder is worth who commited sexoffence like indecent exposure...and punishment first one is nothing compare another one...

[alyxzandra]

Excuse me,techtronicsinc, you are not the smart one here, but you have shown how rude you are and out of order. In this article (if you learned how to read properly you would have understood it) there is a 44 year old who molested a minor and another who served 16 years on *multiple* child rape and molestation charges. This is not talking about a 19 year old having a 16 year old girlfriend who cries rape. So, get real and stop being silly.

Now, you claim that the reason why most people reoffend is because a lack of jobs and in countries where there is more leniency there is less reoffending. Well, I am originally from the U.S. and live in one of those lenient countries. In fact, you can murder someone, get sentenced to 10 years and be out in 5 because a criminal is only expected to serve half of the time given. Oh and they get support workers in prison, mental health care and they can apply for an apartment (paid for by the taxpayer) under social housing. And they get benefits to pay for food, electric and heat.

All on the basis that they served time in prison and are now considered to be vulnerable. And how do I know this? Because I work in this field. So, I know a bit more than you do. And I have experience from both sides of the pond to know that a lenient system only ENCOURAGES them to reoffend. As one said, 'It does not matter. This is not like the United States. If I beat someone up, big deal. I get a month or two in prison and then I am out again.'

Illuniated1 - we are not talking about crimes against property, but against people. That is where the difference lies. Everyone bleats on about these criminals' rights, but what about the victim's? Is anyone prepared to pay for their counselling and other help? I doubt it.

[123erw]

How is it 3,000 sex offenders had no problem finding housing in Miami Dade County but these bridge offenders cannot?

http://roarfortruth.blogspot.com/2009/08/open-letter-to-ron-book.html

READ my Florida blog and learn why these bridge offenders are being used as "pawns"!!!

[Tim Parks]

The other issue with how these criminals are treated after release from prison is that they do have rights when they have served thier time. If we as a normal socity let the goverment take away one groups rights, who is to say the next group the goverment is going to go after is not you,and then your friends and next me. We should NOT let the goverment take away anyones rights after they have served their time in prison because the goverment needs to have limits. Goverment of the people by the people.

[alyxzandra]

What rights are being taken away? These people are considered to be a risk to children and the government is protecting children's rights. I applaud that. These people have been identified as risks to children for whatever reason. Personally, I have no issues with that.

One said he is working and does not want to be told where to live. I am sure there are plenty of places he can rent if he looks hard enough. He is still on probation, which means he has certain rules he still has to live by. That is part of the price to pay when one does such a crime. I may wish to live in a very expensive area, but my paycheck governs where I can live. You do not see me going on about it.

[lisa9009]

Don't get me wrong, I think child molesters are scum. However; there are several problems going on. 1) There is a broad range of what is considered a sex offender. A man can have sex with a 17 year old girl, who even though technically not legal, consents to it. Yes, she is under age. Lets be real though, there is a big difference between that and having sex with a 6 year old who is clearly a child 2) The law on punishing sex offenders needs serious revamping-either keep them in jail forever, lock them in an institution, or execute them. 3) The laws that pertain to restricting where they live-does ANYONE want them close by-so where do they go??
The bottom line is, if you release someone from prison, you are in effect saying that they paid their debt to society. If they are not killed, they MUST be given humane living arrangements.

[Valigators]

"If the government pays for an apartment, I'll go," said Gonzalez, in Spanish
Now thats a hoot..16 years in prison and still wont speak English? Is there anyone other than me who cant quite fathom how this country and let these third world "freedom seeking refugee" come into my country, commit crimes against our children (multiple) then I have to feed clothe and house this bastard? Put his ass on an innertube and send his butt back across the straights, the same way he came in..If your a citizen of this country you should be livid over what these bridge-rats are holding out for.

[RetroActor]

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/smart/pdfs/faq_sorna_guidelines.pdf
<br><br>

8. What is a ?conviction? under SORNA? A sex offender is ?convicted? for SORNA purposes if the sex offender has been subject to penal consequences based on the conviction, however it may be styled. Likewise, the sealing of a criminal record or other action that limits the publicity or availability of conviction information, but does not deprive the conviction of continuing legal validity, does not change its status as a ?conviction? for purposes of SORNA.
<br><br>

That paragraph is taken directly from the US Dept. of Justice site that details the ins and outs of the "newest" (retroactive) law. What it says, and what has been happening for the last few years (think 500 a day for the last 4 or so years added to the registry), is that a person who was 14 years old, some 20 years ago, could have gone on, graduated high school, maybe even college, led a productive life, got in no more trouble, then BAM out of the blue get thrown up on "the list" and be deemed the worst of the worst, incurable, boogieman from your worst nightmares. His, (and his family's...wife...kids...everyone) life, out of nowhere, is completely destroyed. Do you think that 800,000 "sex offenders" just appeared out of nowhere? The reason we haven't heard more about it is because the media demonized the entire group so badly that nobody would listen to them, much less stand up for them. I am glad that more and more people are at least realizing that not everybody on that list really deserves to be on there.
<br><br>
Welcome to the new America, retroactive laws and all.
<br><br>

The Media Demonization:
<br><br>

When Nancy Grace, Bill O'Reilly and several other mainstream news anchors repeated, over and over, that "They offend at a staggering rate" and "They can't be helped", those words echoed throughout the entire country and in the hearts and minds of every parent in America. The only thing is that those statements were pulled OUT OF THIN AIR. The real data paints a different picture:
<br><br>

http://sexoffenderissues.blogspot.com/search/label/Recidivism
<br><br>

By that time though, it was too late. People believed it without question (this is the safety of children we're talking about!) and that opened the door for harsher and more outrageously unconstitutional laws to be passed. The list grew, and continues to grow, making the ?threat? seem bigger and bigger, and making the general public more and more scared...

[wildview]

I personally do not think that they should be aided because they are criminals. The laws were in place before they broke them. The laws have to be severe to try and keep people from commiting these horrendous acts. If people still commit crimes such as these knowing how severe the lifelong penalties are then they have it comming. We do not feel sorry for people who are put in prison for life or executed for murder we should not feel sorry that those who have seriously abused children have a difficult time finding housing away from their potential victims. There is no cure for pedophilia.

[Spyderwasp]

Dear wildview-

Don't make a statement until you know your facts. 1) Only 5% of convicted sex offenders make up those who are diagnosed as pedophiles which are people who are truly attracted to children rather than adults. 2) And have you never heard of ex post facto (latin for after the fact) meaning that most of the offenders on the registry were placed there after they had paid their sentencing debt.

[mary-miami]

They have paid their debt to society. If they don't break any more laws then they should be provided with a place to live. These people cannot even get jobs because of their prison record. By the way, there are other homeless people out there who have no prison record whatsoever, who are victims of this Depression, have lost jobs and homes. All homeless are not criminals.

[alyxzandra]

Stromb22 - aren't you a charming one? You do not have a child and could not care about children? I see you have such compassion. So, you want a registration for thieves, as well? I think you miss a point here. Children are unable to defend themselves against adults who want to do bad things to them. Adults (I assume you are one, as well) have more tools to defend themselves. That is why there is a sex offenders register.

And for the ones who whine about these people who did their time....you know, a child who has been terrified and suffered rape have a lifetime sentence. Any remedies you have in mind for these children who may suffer a lifetime of depression, nightmares, post traumatic stress disorder, etc? Oh wait, it is ok for the criminals who have served their time. It wipes the slate clean for them and thus for their victims, right? Just because someone has served time it does not mean the victims are free from a different kind of prison. But, I guess some people would not understand how to be compassionate to the victims.

I hope the pond scum living under the bridge rot in Hades. Why should they be given a free ride when others work hard for a living? And one was really rich when he complained he did not want to be told where to live. Boohoo. He should have thought about these things when he was out there hurting children.

[Illuminated1]

The law does not account for the victims, only the state and the criminal are involved. If you notice cases are always read the State vs the defendant.
Therefore you are asking for double jeopardy.
Time served in prison is enough.
In jail, they are subjected to unspeakable actions, which will remain with them for life.
Don't get me wrong, I feel compassion for the victims, but I don't believe he victims cant move on with life like you expressed so vehemently.
I believe the criminal sentances after prison is manipulated by those who want more and use this crime to justify future changes like registering all burglers or all car thieves, perhaps making them move under a bridge as well.
The point here is you better watchout for those willing to pervert justice.

[techtronicsinc]

Your not very smart are you alyxandra. Most sex offenses are done with adults not children. Also not all sex offenders are bad people. I dont think we have any threat from the guy who was 19,20 whatever and was having sex with a 16 yr old or 17 yr old. How do these people hurt anyone? No one is a victim but its happened many times girl gets prego she cries rape to get out of getting in trouble with her parents and who gets in trouble not the girl.
Studies show that in countries were the SO laws are not as harsh have a considerbly less reoccurance rate. Many countries once the person has served probation or prison time its done its over they can start a new life and most never reoffend.

I spoke with a probation officer some time back and she said she felt that most SO repeat because they can not get work due to being on the SOR and then they cant live in any housing because it violates everything. So they figure why not do something to go back to jail at least there they have a roof over their head and 3 square meals a day and they can work and earn money if they want.
She felt if they would take each account into consideration only the ones who really pose a threat would have harsh punishment. But if they are being let out of jail that in affect means hey you have served your time and you are now free to go. But they are not free even though they have served their time.

I do not like and would not want a real sex offender anywhere near my home but then again i dont see that everyone should be under a blanket law. No other crime is that way.
Fine lets take all theft and assume they are all going to reoffend and they are all going to steal a car and rob a store and risk killing someone so lets keep them in jail.