[floridaactioncommittee.org for citywalkmission.com – 2/16/21] City Walk opened as a “Cold Night Shelter” in late November. Where the City and City Walk disagree is on the definition of a “cold night.” Our local government says it’s not a cold night until it is ‘35 degrees or below for three or more consecutive hours.’ So if it is 36 degrees and raining our local government says it’s not cold enough to activate. Many of our congregation are elderly, some in their 70’s and 80’s and many others with severe disabilities. A…
Read MoreTag: Emergency Shelter
Kat’s Blog: We’re All in This Together, Or Are We?
Several news articles this week about Tampa Catholic Charities setting up a 100- tent homeless shelter called Hillsboro Hope, brought to mind the old biblical line “what so ever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.” Society has always excluded registrants from most homeless shelters. Even during our country’s worst episodes of floods, earthquakes, triple digit and freezing temperatures, registrants have been left to fend for themselves. So, is it any wonder that once again, registrants are being denied the same basic necessities of…
Read MoreCA: Placentia to open homeless ‘navigation center’ Tuesday without registrants
[ocregister.com – 3/30/20] Placentia is racing to put the final touches on what city leaders say is a first-of-its kind facility that will offer emergency shelter, help finding jobs and housing and other types of counseling and aid to homeless people in north Orange County. The shelter is expected to start accepting people Tuesday, March 31. … (The centers will take clients by referral only, and no one with sex offender status, certain felonies or active arrest warrants will be admitted.) Read the full article
Read MoreFL: People on Sex Offender Registry Should Shelter from Dorian in Jail
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…
Read MoreVA: A look at why Gov. Northam vetoed a bill related to sex offenders in emergency shelters
[wjla.com – 4/30/19] Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has vetoed legislation that would allow officials to temporarily block convicted sex offenders from using emergency shelters. Northam said Tuesday it is “unconscionable” that people could be turned away from shelters during hurricanes, flash floods or other emergencies. The legislation would have allowed shelter officials to deny entrance for convicted sex offenders for however long was “necessary to ensure the safety of other individuals” admitted to the shelter. The legislation would have also required convicted sex offenders to declare they are registered offenders…
Read MoreVA: An unprecedented tweak to a sex offender bill
Something unexpected: bills that could have penalized convicted sex offenders seeking shelter in an emergency evacuation — from an approaching hurricane, for instance — could get a bit less punitive, thanks to a proposed tweak by Gov. Ralph Northam. Full Article
Read MoreMO: Salvation Army Opens Extreme Emergency Cold Weather Shelter
[ozarksfirst.com – 1/29/19] SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Salvation Army announced Tuesday they are opening up their extreme cold shelters due to extremely cold temperatures. … A picture ID will be required to stay overnight as there will be a Sex Offender Background Check. Read the full article
Read MoreSC: Can sex offenders stay at Red Cross shelters?
With Hurricane Florence barreling towards the coast of the Carolinas, residents in multiple counties have been urged to evacuate either out of town or to emergency shelters. But what about safety at shelters? ABC News asked the American Red Cross if sex offenders were allowed to stay at shelters with others residents. Full Article Related links: VERIFY: Yes, sex offenders can stay at public shelters during Florence in NC [wcnc.com – 9/15/18]
Read MoreFL: Sheriff sued after threatening to arrest fugitives who sought hurricane shelter
A Florida sheriff who threatened to jail fugitives with warrants if they sought shelter during Hurricane Irma has been sued by a man who claims he was denied entry to a shelter. The Orlando Sentinel reports the lawsuit filed Sunday by Nexus Services, an organization that provides legal help to immigrants, claims Andres Borreno was denied entry to a shelter in Polk County after sheriff’s deputies told him he would have to submit to a background check before entering a shelter. Full Article
Read MoreFL: Pasco to open shelter for sex offenders
Registered sex offenders who need to evacuate because of Hurricane Irma now have an option: The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office will set up a space for them in the shelter at Wiregrass Ranch High School in Wesley Chapel” They need someplace to go just like any other citizen,” sheriff’s spokesman Kevin Doll said. Full Article
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