GPS devices considered to keep track of homeless sex offenders

Another dumb bill: In order for this GPS program to work, in a non discriminatory manner, police would have to apply the GPS unit ONLY for the hours that the homeless person sleeps. Remember, anyone with an address IS NOT tracked outside of the hours they sleep.

So police will have to go to where the HOMELESS person is registered -TWICE DAILY- to apply the unit, then come back when the person gets up (he will need a charged cell phone to call police to come remove the unit when he gets up) to remove the unit. So if the state wants to pay for all that, so be it! OH YES, people call a night different times of a 24 hour span, can't forget that.

In addition, how will a homeless person charge a GPS unit? Further, monitoring a homeless person 24/7 is further punishment based on prior crime and the fact that, the person is homeless; criminalizing homelessness. Finally, there is no evidence that homeless registrants commit crimes while non homeless registrants do not commit crimes, except in the mind of that one lawmaker.

12-10-2009 Ohio:

COLUMBUS — Homeless sex offenders would be required to wear global positioning devices to track their whereabouts, under legislation being considered in the Ohio House.

Rep. Clayton Luckie, a Democrat from the Dayton area, offered House Bill 369 after two women in his district were attacked by the same homeless sex offender.

Quite interesting, lawmakers wants to punish ALL homeless registrants for the acts of ONE homeless person, who by the way will be going to prison for those crimes and will not be subjected to the GPS, except maybe if he is paroled. This is typical illogical thinking of many lawmakers.

“There are predators out there that prey on women and children in our society, putting not just the public, but our families in danger,” Luckie told members of the House’s Criminal Justice Committee on Wednesday. “Are there better ways to track and monitor people convicted of major sexual crimes but do not have a permanent address? I believe there is a better way.”

Tier III sex offenders — the category includes those guilty of rape and crimes against children — already are required to register their addresses with law enforcement every 90 days.

But of the 5,586 sex offenders currently being monitored by the state, close to 500 are homeless, Luckie said.

Under his bill, those who do not have home addresses would be required to be monitored via a GPS device until they have a fixed residence.

“I believe this law is necessary to monitor those who are deemed most dangerous,” Luckie said. “No one can foresee who will commit a crime and when they will do it. However, we can take steps to help deter criminal behavior.” ..Source.. Vindy.com