Statewide - The Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains a database of about 13,000 sexual predators and offenders. The site allows the user to search by city, county, ZIP code or the last name of the offender. When available, photos of sex offenders are posted. The site provides name, inmate number, race, physical description, crime committed and victims of the offender. The site also provides a telephone number for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to obtain further information.
This PSIA created a distinction
between "sexual predators" and the much broader
category of "sex offenders." While all sexual
predators can be categorized as sex offenders, not all
sex offenders are sexual predators. Both, however, are
subject to registration and community notification.
There are two ways an offender can
be designated as a sexual predator in Florida: commit
one of a number of sex crimes that are first-degree
felonies or greater, or, commit two second-degree or
greater felony sex offenses within 10 years. In either
case, the triggering offense must have been committed
on or after Oct. 1, 1993. A sex offender is anyone
convicted of certain sex crimes covered under Florida
Statute 794, regardless of the date of offense. The
offender must have been under the care, custody or
control of the department of corrections, or was
released from any sanction imposed by the court on or
after Oct. 1, 1997. Sex offenders must meet
registration and notification requirements similar to
those of predators.
Notification Methods
Under the law, the public may be
notified in any manner deemed appropriate by the
sheriff of the county, or the chief of the
municipality where the predator or offender lives.
Many of these agencies are taking an aggressive
approach to community notification. Methods include
distributing fliers to neighborhood associations,
organizing and attending community meetings, and
submitting information to community newspapers. Other
agencies are using public access or city-run cable
channels to distribute this information. County school
boards are working in cooperation with law enforcement
to calmly inform parents whenever a predator moves
into a school district, avoiding a panic situation.
The FDLE offers a number of services
to the public and law enforcement agencies to
distribute sex offender and predator information. The
FDLE maintains an Internet site that contains
information from the department of corrections on
every sex offender and predator registered in Florida.
Citizens may conduct a search by specifying county,
city, zip code, or the subject's last name. This
search will produce a list of every offender and
predator in the specified area, including their names
and addresses. In addition, clicking on an individual
name on the list brings up more information on that
offender, showing his name, physical description,
photograph and a description of the offense committed.
Information is not included about the offender's
victim, nor is it available to the public. For that
reason charges like incest are not included because
they might also identify the victim. The FDLE Website
may be reached at
http://www.fdle.state.fl.us.
Citizens who don't have Internet
access may get the same information by calling the
Sexual Offender/Predator toll-free hotline at
888-FL-PREDATOR (888-357-7332). Information is
available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The FDLE
offender database is updated every night at midnight,
so that address changes and new registrants are always
up to date. Every time the database is updated, the
Website is also updated so callers and Internet users
can always be assured of the most current information.
The list is also available by mail, but because this
printed information quickly goes out of date, most
callers are encouraged to check the Internet if at all
possible.
Aiding Law Enforcement
The FDLE provides additional support
to law enforcement agencies by assisting in "sweeps"
of all known sexual predators to verify current
address and registration information. Predators who
have changed their address without notifying
authorities can be charged with a third degree felony
and returned to prison.
As another aid to law enforcement,
the driver's licenses and titles to any automobiles
owned by the offender are "flagged" in the Department
of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) database.
If a suspicious vehicle is spotted in an area where
children congregate, a routine search of the tag will
reveal whether the owner is a sex offender. Offenders
are also required to appear in person at a driver
license office every time their address changes or
their license is due for renewal. The DHSMV then
notifies the FDLE of any change in address and
provides an updated photograph, which is also added to
the offender database.
On the Horizon
What does the future have in store
for registration and notification of sex offenders and
predators in Florida? The FDLE is committed to taking
advantage of the latest in technology to keep the
public informed. The Florida legislature, backed by
decisions made by the Supreme Court, is also
introducing legislation that would help keep predatory
offenders off the street. Among the latest
advancements in legal and technological assistance
are:
The Jimmy Ryce Civil Commitment Act.
This act, if passed, will establish a procedure to
commit anyone meeting the criteria for classification
as a sexually violent predator, but not qualifying for
hospitalization under the Baker Act to be committed
for treatment. This bill will also provide for a
defendant convicted of certain acts of lewd,
lascivious or indecent conduct to be sentenced as a
habitual violent felony offender.
Geo-mapping. This computer
application will allow agencies to show their entire
geographical area, including daycare centers, schools
and parks in relation to residences of known sex
offenders. One benefit is that this will help local
school boards establish bus routes that do not require
children to walk near a sex offender's residence.
Imaging software. This is another
computer application that will enhance a police sketch
artist's ability to identify a subject. The electronic
"sketch" can be run against a database of photographs;
the computer then takes certain characteristics of the
sketch and matches them against characteristics in the
photo database. A hit is then made against a
particular photograph, similar to the manner in which
Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS)
work. This a powerful investigative tool that has the
potential to dramatically decrease the time needed to
make an arrest.
Florida's citizens can rest assured
that the FDLE is committed to providing the necessary
information for them to protect themselves and their
children. By working together, state and local law
enforcement, and our communities will benefit from
this sweeping new law.
By Commissioner
James T. Moore
For more information, contact:
Commissioner James T. Moore, Florida Department of Law
Enforcement
P.O. Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302-1489
Phone: (850) 488-8771
Fax: (850) 488-2189
E-mail:
timmoore@fdle.state.fl.us
Website:
http://www.fdle.state.fl.us
