sexoffenderresearch.blogspot.com
Terry Norton, a sex offender, along with other sex offenders and predators, who live under
the Julia Tuttle Causeway huddle in their cars, nylon tents and wooden shacks. Those living
under the Tuttle say they've been forgotten. This week, during the South Florida
record-setting cold snap, they say they were turned away the county's homeless shelters because
they are sex offenders. Under state law, sex offenders can't live within 1,000 feet of
schools, daycare centers, parks or other area where kids congregate. Miami-Dade has stricter
requirements, a 2,500 foot ban. Ron Book, head of Miami-Dade's Homeless Trust, concedes that
as sex offenders and predators, they aren't able to stay in the shelters. The county has had
workers out there handing out blankets but there's little else that can be done that hasn't already
been tried. Finding landlords who will accept them is increasingly difficult and some, though
not all, of the offenders refuse to leave. Anywhere from 34 to 70 sex predators and offenders
still live under or near the bridge. Book has placed 40-45 of them so, and he says his agency
will continue its effort.
(Florida)