For some people convicted of sex crimes in Florida, the only shelter open to them during Hurricane Dorian was the county jail.
In some counties, people on the registry were barred from shelters set up for those evacuating, and told to go to separate locations, away from children and other community members. If they attempted to stay with friends or relatives, they faced daunting residency and registration requirements, according to the Florida Action Committee, which advocates for reform of sex offender registry laws. Failure to comply can mean a felony conviction and incarceration.
In Osceola County, a separate shelter was set up at the housing agency for “sex offenders,” meaning people on the registry, according to a local news report by WKMG-TV. And in Flagler County, registered sex offenders were directed to go to the sheriff’s office for shelter, according to a WJXT-TVreport. The Nassau County Board of Commissioners website advised people on the sex offender registry to seek shelter in the county jail. Full Article
This is Disgusting.
You reap what you sow Florida.
The last time I, in Ga, was subject to a violent storm (I lived in a mobile home at the time) and was subject to dangerous winds, I drove my van to the nearest Walmart and stayed there until the storm passed. I informed my PO the next, nothing said/questioned by her. I did not want to subject myself to providing my ID to any church/evacuation center and possibly/probably being rejected.
I guess I have to be thankful I live in Michigan and there’s no hurricanes here. But what is happening in Florida is unacceptable. To single out one group of people is absolutely disgusting. What about all the drug dealers, thieves and murderers? Why are they allowed to take shelter in public places where children might be? I would be more concerned about a pick pocket or thief in a public shelter than a sex offender.
Let registrants not be confused nor ashamed to protest the electronic indenture by every means possible. Until mass registrant assembly in D.C. occurs no peace shall be had.
Assembly in D.C. Is an option. Perhaps the only option.
Involuntary servitude is prohibited unless to punish a crime.
Are registrants being “forced” to seek shelter in a jail as opposed to be being taken in by normal hurricane shelters?
Smith v Doe, 2003, was supposed to be non-invasive, which included stating in-person registration was not part of the scheme. Nowadays, the registry is “forcing” restrictions, in-person reporting, and telling you where you can seek shelter in a natural disaster. That implies you’re still under custody as anything you do that violates the “extra restrictions under penalty of law” will result in direct punishment.
This compelled action is also discriminatory as it singles out one subset of convicted people.
The registry has gone beyond the non-invasive nature of Smith v Doe, 2003. The fact it was noted that in-person reporting “is a disability”, but everyone state is imposing it is compelled action over one’s movement.
Any “compelled” action to a person no longer under custody and subject to penalty of law is “involuntary servitude”. The registry only happens AFTER conviction, but it isn’t considered punishment. Yet, the compelling force over a person’s movement, actions, and restriction of liberty that is not punishment is “involuntary servitude”.
In Peckingham, one of the justices denoted the continued restrictions long after custody seemed amiss. It was the same justice who falsely claimed the recidivism rate in Smith v Doe, 2003 was at 80%, which was “frightening and high”.