Nowhere to Go: Homeless Threatened With Arrest

LAKE MONROE, FLORIDA – August 29, 2013

There are approximately 80 sex offenders currently registered as transient, living within feet of the railroad tracks at NW 71^st Street and 36^th Court in Miami. Most are there because probation kicked them out of their homes several weeks ago, after discovering (years later) it was too close to a school.

Last night, after midnight, the Metro-Dade Police came to the encampment and forced the registrants to leave the properly alongside the tracks. If they stayed, they would face arrest for trespassing on the County’s property. If they left, they would face arrest when their GPS devices signaled they were not where probation had told them to stay.

Facing this quagmire, the registrants packed up their tents and belongings and spent the remainder of the night in the middle of the street.

The text of FAC’s letter to State Probation in Miami-Dade County follows:

Dear Ms. DiBernado:

Last week I wrote you a letter to make you aware of the encampment of sex offenders on the corner of 71st street and NW 36th Court in Miami. To date I have not received a reply.

As you are aware, there are now approximately 80 individuals who are living as homeless alongside the railroad tracks at this location. The majority are there because your office ordered them to leave their homes several weeks ago because it was too close to a school.

Although most have family or friends they could live with, the County’s residency ordinance precludes that option. The same goes for homeless shelters.

We have been advised that last night, after midnight, the Metro-Dade Police Department showed up at the encampment and told everyone to leave or they would be subject to arrest for trespassing on County property.  Many of your probationers are on GPS Monitors and are required to stay at that location or also be subject to arrest.

I respectfully request to be advised of what is being done about this human rights and public safety issue.

Florida Action Committee (FAC), founded in 2006, is a state-wide consortium of concerned citizens and professionals whose purpose is to promote the prevention of sexual abuse while preserving the safety and dignity of all citizens through carefully structured laws targeting the truly violent, forced, and/or dangerous predatory acts of sex. FAC believes that many aspects of the current approach to sex offenders seriously undermine justice and actually increase the threat of sexual assault against others, particularly children. FAC opposes a publicized registry of sex offenders and seeks to bring an end to the humiliation of people who have already paid for their crimes. FAC asserts that only by supporting justice for all people—offenders and victims alike can a truly safe society be built and secured for all Americans.