Florida’s Sexual Predator Act.
What YOU need to know!
By Lieutenant D. Snyder and Corporal M. Mulvey
Sunny Isles Beach Police Department Criminal Investigative Division

The role of modern policing in our society has changed dramatically over the years, from a strictly law enforcement entity; to the more modern police department, which blends crime fighting with community based policing. The idea of community policing partners local police departments with their respective communities at many levels. Crime prevention, involvement in public service programs, and officer accessibility are only part of the initiative. Keeping the public well informed on a variety of important issues is an extremely integral part of the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department’s commitment to our citizens.

Recently, after several high profile cases involving crimes against children whose perpetrators had been designated as “Sexual Predators or Sexual Offenders,” many communities have been asking the questions, are there sexual Predators/Offenders living in my neighborhood, and how do we protect our children?

The answers to these questions start with being an educated public and understanding what constitutes a sexual predator or offender, while at the same time being able to access the information as to whether there are any such designated persons living in your building or neighborhood. Realistically speaking, there is always the possibility that someone in your neighborhood has a criminal background of some type, but having our citizens informed and involved gives us an advantage.

• A “Sexual Predator” is described by statute as those individuals that have been convicted of a sexual offense by a Florida Court and so designated by that court. Sexual Predators are considered repeat offenders, who use physical violence and prey on children. FSS 775.21
• A “Sexual Offender” is described as those individuals that have been convicted of a sexual offense by any U.S. Court. FSS 943.0435
• As part of the public notification process, private citizens and or condominium associations can post the names, addresses and photographs of known sexual predators/offenders, as long as the posted publication contain the contact information of the posting person or organization.
• All sexual predators and offenders residing in the State of Florida must be registered as such with Florida’s Department of Law Enforcement. All Florida convicted predators/offenders are supervised by Florida’s Department of Corrections and registration is done by that agency. All other predators/offenders must register in person at the local sheriff’s office within the county they reside. They must also report in person to a state driver’s license office and obtain a Florida drivers license or identification card, containing their current address and designation as a sexual predator or offender. These registration requirements MUST be completed within 48 hours after learning of the registration requirements of this state. All sexual predator/offender designations are for life; unless the offender is pardoned by the court or the conviction is set aside.

If the public believes that a person residing in their community is a sexual predator or offender, they should immediately notify their local law enforcement agency and provide the subjects information. If the investigation reveals that the subject is not registered and should be, the State Attorneys office shall be informed in order to initiate a court hearing to determine the subject’s status. The Sunny Isles Beach Police Department runs routine F.D.L.E. computer checks for newly designated or relocated predators/offender every month as part of our normal intelligence gathering process. An investigation is initiated on each case and F.D.L.E. notification procedures are followed.

All sexual predator/offender status information is public record and available to anyone requesting said information. All information can be obtained from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s web-site at www.fdle.state.fl.us. After accessing this web-site, click on the sexual offender link and enter search criteria. Information can also be obtained by calling the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at-1-(888)-357-7332 or the Criminal Investigative Division of the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department at (305) 947-4440.

Remember the safety of your children is always the top priority of the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department, but keep in mind, their safety starts with you as a parent. Be ever vigilant and never take your child’s safety for granted. Take the time to follow through on the listed safety rules, whether your child or adolescent likes it or not.

1. Always know your child’s whereabouts and who they are with, no exceptions.
2. Always keep current addresses and phone numbers for friends and acquaintances.
3. Small children should be kept under an adult’s watchful eye at all times, especially at parks, pools beaches, movie theaters etc.
4. School bus drop-off and pick- up points should be always supervised by a responsible person.
5. Listen to your child, if they describe a suspicious situation involving a stranger, contact the authorities immediately.
6. Become involved in your child’s educational and recreational activities and stay alert to any behavioral changes that seem out of the ordinary.
7. Most of all, keep the lines of communication open.

Please understand that the intent of this article is to inform the public in respect to the Florida’s Sexual Predator Act and to remind our citizens that information is a powerful tool that can be easily accessed by the click of a computer mouse, or by calling your local police department. Remember your involvement is a critical part of making this community a safer place to live, work and play.

“Our children remain our greatest resource, as they are our future”…

TOP