Bill aims to keep track of homeless sex offenders

PROOF that, the registry is a nonsensical address book with pictures. Of what value, in a public safety sense, is it to know where a registrant SLEEPS? Or, is the real purpose to provide the public with a list of where they can harass the offender? Registries are fraught with political stupidity, the real purpose is a tool for politicians to keep them in office. It would seem more logical for politicians to change laws so that these folks can find a place to live, rather then more laws to keep them homeless. Guess I don't have a policial mind.

4-28-2010 Michigan:

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - A proposal that could soon come up for a vote in the Michigan Senate would require homeless sex offenders to notify police when they change where they are staying.

The legislation would establish registry reporting and notification requirements for homeless people who are convicted sex offenders. They would have to report their address as a homeless shelter or the nearest intersection where they regularly sleep.

The bills come in a response to a recent Michigan Court of Appeals ruling that a homeless sex offender shouldn't be punished for not registering an address or giving his whereabouts to law enforcement. The court's reasoning was that a homeless person doesn't have what is considered a residence.

The new legislation could be voted on this week. ..Source.. WWMT.com

Read More of Article...

Article Summary only...

Are New Laws Making Sex Offender Tracking Tougher?

In 2010 there will be a census taken by the federal government, it is estimated to cost $11 billion dollars. Having the police do a monthly/quarterly census of registered persons may eventually be cost prohibitive. So, Mr. John Q. Public how much money do you want to divert from your children's education (or other worthy cause, Colleges, Health Care or Seniors) to know where former sex offenders SLEEP for a FEW hours of the day? The RSO census shows nothing more than that; where they sleep for a few hours. Further, no one has yet proved registry's have any public safety value, but it sounds good, right?

2-6-2010 Florida:

VIERA -- Law enforcement officials said new laws are making it tougher for them to keep track of sex offenders.

In Brevard County alone, there are 712 registered sex offenders, all of whom are required to register with the Sheriff’s Office either twice or four times a year, depending on the severity of their crime.

New laws have increased the price for new identification, and the amount of paperwork needed to show proof of residency at the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Officials said many sex offenders are homeless or move around a lot.

A sex offender’s license must have the correct address listed, or they could face a third-degree felony charge.

Authorities said in certain cases, the new laws are making it much tougher on sex offenders trying to register.

“The identification law is something that Homeland Security came up with, so when people come in, they are who they say they are,” said Lt. Todd Goodyear, with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. “It wasn’t aimed at sex offenders, but for a lot of these guys, particularly with residency, it’s hard for them to prove it.”

Before October 2009, it cost $10 to renew a license. Now, it costs $25.

Brevard County officials said many sex offenders move around several times a year, which can become a financial strain.

Officials said in some cases, these new rules make it more difficult for them to track the offenders, and more difficult for the offenders to comply. ..Source.. Margaret Kavanagh

Read More of Article...

Article Summary only...