FL- Stimulus cash may help move sex offenders from causeway

A closer review of HUD Rules, which control monies for homeless folks, including stimilus money, will reveal that ALL sex offenders are excluded from benefiting from these monies.

9-3-2009 Florida:

A slice of $7.5 million in federal stimulus money is being offered to help homeless sex offenders and predators living under the Julia Tuttle Causeway to cover rent, housing and utilities.

The money comes from federal funds designated for homeless people in Miami-Dade, but convicted sex offenders who meet income requirements are eligible, said Ron Book, chairman of the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust, who has led efforts to find housing for the bridge dwellers.

Under the program, participants can receive financial assistance for up to 18 months, but must be recertified every 90 days.

The camp, which has become a national embarrassment for Miami, is emptying.

Book estimates that from a high of about 100 a few months ago, 49 remain in cardboard boxes and rusty cars in the sandy, bug-infested underpass. Some of them are still unwilling to leave, but they are moving one by one, he said.

Lawmakers and others say the stimulus money still won't solve the larger issue: Where do sexual predators and offenders live in a state with such restrictive residency laws?

``I have reservations about how the money is being used,'' said Miami-Dade Commissioner Pepe Diaz. ``But I can appreciate what Ron is doing to help us deflate a problem that is like an black eye for all of us.''

State Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, points out that residency laws do nothing to protect children when they are most vulnerable: during the day.

Aronberg has unsuccessfully tried to pass legislation to revise the state's sexual predator and offender laws, and eliminate the hodgepodge of local ordinances. He says there are other, more effective ways to keep sex offenders away from children.

``We can solve this problem if there was some political courage to stand up for public safety,'' said Aronberg, a candidate for state attorney general.

Book agrees that a statewide rule is in order, and said he could live with a rule that keeps sex offenders 1,750 to 2,500 feet away from parks, schools and other public places.Miami-Dade and many counties and towns abide by a 2,500-foot restriction.

Ironically, Book, one of the state's most powerful lobbyists, is rethinking his position on the very laws that he aggressively pushed years ago that many say left some convicted sex offenders with limited housing options.

Book's daughter, Lauren Book, who was sexually abused by her nanny for six years, said she, too, has reconsidered the issue as a result of the Julia Tuttle fiasco.

``I don't think 2,500 feet is the best number, and I don't think anyone should live under a bridge. But do I think they should be away from children? Absolutely,'' said Lauren Book, founder and executive director of Lauren's Kids, a nonprofit foundation that helps educate and support children and families about sexual abuse.

``We've learned a lot through this ordeal,'' Diaz said. ``I am looking at what occurred, what has taken place and we will be adjusting and modifying the rules.''

However, he is adamant that the 2,500-foot boundary is solid.

Kevin Morales, who has lived under the bridge for three years, said he doesn't plan to move until the state enforces its own 1,000 foot boundary -- no matter how much money he is offered.

``Are we picky about where we want to live?'' he said. ``I guess yes. I want to find a place that's suitable for me.''

Morales, who was convicted of lewdness against a 16-year-old family member when he was 30, said he and many of his counterparts have misgivings about Book and taking the money -- for fear that when the stimulus money runs out, they will be out on the street again.

The money to help homeless people, including those living under the causeway, is being administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

After participants leave the program, they may qualify for funding or assistance from the Homeless Trust, which is funded by the county's food and beverage tax.

Book said he is already talking to the state Department of Corrections and the state Department of Transportation about fencing in the property, so bridge residents may soon be forced to leave.

``We have begun discussions . . . about a closure plan -- when do we install a guardrail, when do we begin to fence it off. That is going to come very soon.''

Still, that may not be the end of sex offender camps.

``Unless the county brings its ordinance in line with state law, another shantytown will spring up as sure as night follows day,'' said Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, which is suing Miami-Dade over its 2,500 foot rule. ..Source.. by JULIE BROWN