FL- Miami to find housing for sex felons living under bridge

If true, but I doubt it, then the only reason Miami would do so is INCOME from tourist trade is waning.

7-23-2009 Florida:

Miami officials and homeless advocates are finding housing for more than 70 registered sex offenders who have been living in squalor under a bridge because of restrictions designed to protect children, The Miami Herald reports.

Eight camp dwellers will be moved to an apartment building in the days ahead, while officials continue to hunt for housing for the rest, officials said. The Herald reports that one possible site is the old North Dade Detention Center, which has been vacant since it closed two years ago.

The encampment of tents and ramshackle huts has attracted local scorn and lawsuits, and brought bad publicity. A city ordinance requires sex offenders to live at least 2,500 feet from places where children gather, which makes finding housing difficult for many.

The Associated Press spoke with one squatter who isn't inclined to leave, however.

"I'm not in prison anymore," said Reg, a 44-year-old offender who served six years behind bars for molesting a minor. He declined to give his last name for fear he may lose his job as a cook. "I'm a taxpayer, I'm on probation and I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. I don't want to be told to live somewhere."

On Deadline wrote about the first sex offenders who took up residence under the Julia Tuttle Causeway back in April 2007. Last year the state ordered the men to leave, but that was blocked by a lawsuit.

The American Civil Liberties Union has sued to overturn the ordinance, arguing it is more restrictive than the 1,000-foot limit set by the state. Also, Miami sued the state, saying the camp is too close to a small island park accessible only by boat. ..Source..