HURRICANE IRMA – INFORMATION EXCHANGE
In the interest of time, we are asking members to contact their local probation office and Sheriff’s department to find out what provisions are being made for Registered Sex Offenders and Predators in each County/City.
Since registrants are excluded from most emergency shelters and a significant proportion of this population are homeless, we strongly advise against waiting until the last minute to seek shelter.
We need at least one volunteer in each county to post the information in the comments section below.
For your County’s Emergency Management Office: http://www.floridadisaster.org/county_em/county_list.htm
For a list of each County’s Sheriff’s Office/Sexual Offender Registration Office: https://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/Documents/REREGISTRATIONLOCATIONS.pdf
*** NOTE – PLEASE POST ONLY COUNTY HURRICANE INFORMATION***
***comments that do not contain factual information will be deleted ***
CLAY COUNTY – I called 904.213.2930 to inquire about Clay County, Florida housing/shelter plan in the event of inclement weather. The lady did not give me her name, but said the RSO have to have their own plan and if they don’t they will be going to Baker CI…she was not helpful.
Baker Correctional Institution
Address: 20706 FL-10, Sanderson, FL 32087
Phone: (386) 719-4500
ORANGE COUNTY
Central Florida Reception Center near Titusville.
Address: 7000 H C Kelley Rd, Orlando, FL 32831
Phone: (407) 207-7777
PINELLAS COUNTY – You can go to churches or friends homes. No schools and schools are the only emergency shelters in Pinellas County. Also, you cannot leave the county no matter what if you are probation. The POs are giving car chargers for GPS monitoring.
SEMINOLE COUNTY the court house
101 Eslinger Way
Sanford, Florida 32773
(407) – 665-4450
Is a shelter for Registered Citizens if you live in Seminole county.
SEMINOLE COUNTY ordinances exceptions listed in code for registered citizens states:
No sexual offender or sexual predator shall travel through or remain within the 1,000 foot buffer zone surrounding any school, daycare center, park or playground except to:
Seek refuge during times of impending natural disasters or acts of terrorism, if such schools have been designated by Seminole County or the State of Florida as a place of refuge.
Below is the link to the designated shelters should you or your loved ones need shelter
disaster:http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/departments-services/county-managers-office/emergency-management/prepare-seminole/stay-informed/shelter-information.stml
Additional note for Seminole County:
Sec. 228.4. – Required declaration of status as a sexual offender or sexual predator.
(1) During times of impending natural disasters or acts of terrorism, sexual offenders and sexual predators shall immediately identify themselves as a sexual offender or sexual predator, as the case may be, to the official in charge of any public shelter where they seek refuge.
PASCO COUNTY has a emergency shelter for registrants at the Wiregrass Ranch High School,they indicate that you must self-identify yourself to avoid prosecution. The school is located at 2909 Mansfield Way Wesley Chapel 33543
Phone: (813) 346-6000
DUVAL COUNTY those on probation will have to report to county jail only if there is a mandatory evacuation.
DUVAL COUNTY
http://www.coj.net/departments/fire-and-rescue/emergency-preparedness/be-jaxready/shelter-information
states that public shelters are managed by the American Red Cross. On their website:
http://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter
it states: “Everyone is welcome at a Red Cross shelter. The Red Cross does not discriminate based on nationality, race, religious beliefs, class, disability, political opinions, sexual orientation, or gender identity. If you need to leave your home due to a disaster or emergency, you are welcome to come to a Red Cross shelter.”
DUVAL COUNTY
Jacksonville Municipal Code Section 685.101 Temporary emergency shelters; sexual predators and offenders notification requirements:
https://library.municode.com/fl/jacksonville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITXIXPUSA_CH685SEOFSEPRRE_S685.101TEEMSHSEPROFNORE
DUVAL COUNTY
More information on evacuation and shelters (by name):
http://heavy.com/news/2017/09/duval-county-evacuation-zones-map-hurricane-irma-shelters-jacksonville/
PALM BEACH COUNTY
According to the sheriffs department all registrants not guided by direction of probation or parole, homeless or not should go to what ever shelter is nearest to them with their families or alone and in the event of an evacuation go where directed. Once the storm has passed if you are able to return to your home do so, if not check in at the local sheriffs registration office and advise them of your resident status if it is different than what is registered.
If you are on probation or parole check in with your Probation Officer for any directions as to where they want you to go. You may go to a shelter unless you are directed otherwise. If you have somewhere to stay and you are not on probation that is fine. If you do not, go to a shelter. After the storm passes, go to your local registration office and advise them as to where you are staying, you must update the information if you are unable to return to your home.
BREVARD COUNTY
Required declaration of status as a sexual offender or sexual predator.
(1) During times of impending natural disasters or acts of terrorism, sexual offenders and sexual predators shall immediately identify themselves as a sexual offender or sexual predator, as the case may be, to the official in charge of any public shelter where they seek refuge. Sexual offenders or sexual predators will not be permitted to remain at general shelters not designated to house them. Sexual offenders and sexual predators will only be permitted housing at shelters specifically approved to house sexual offenders.
BROWARD COUNTY
The South Florida Reception Center (Jail)
Address: 14000 NW 41st St, Doral, FL 33178
Phone: (305) 592-9567
The Dept of Corrections is seeking volunteers who can help transport registrants from a meeting point to the Jail. If you are able to volunteer please contact legal@floridaactioncommittee.org
MIAMI-DADE
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/kzzd7x/miami-officials-say-they-wont-check-ids-at-hurricane-shelters-vgtrn
Oh, and it seems Miami-Dade is conveniently not going to check IDs at the door. Is this trustworthy?
MIAMI-DADE has designated North Miami Beach Senior High School as a shelter where sex offenders can go.
Address: 1247 NE 167th St, Miami, FL 33162
Phone: (305) 949-8381
POLK COUNTY
From Sheriff Grady Judd: If you go to a shelter for #Irma, be advised: sworn LEOs will be at every shelter, checking IDs. Sex offenders/predators will not be allowed
7:30 AM – 6 Sep 2017
ALACHUA COUNTY – Per P/O go to Polk City CI. The office will give you traveling papers, but they will be closed Friday 9/8. We received a call from the P/O directly.
Also, we understand that those in POLK County also go to Polk City CI
Address: 10800 Evans Rd, Polk City, FL 33868
Phone: (863) 984-2273
BREVARD COUNTY -one of our members spoke to their probation officer. Anyone needing to evacuate in Brevard will need to go to the Titusville Courthouse. It is set up as a regular shelter would be. If still on probation, please contact your officer first before going to the courthouse.
506 S Palm Ave
Titusville, FL 32796
321-264-6725
PASCO county information is correct based on flyer mailed by Sheriff Nocco’s office.
PASCO COUNTY – Brochure from Sheriff Nocco identifies the shelter for SO and their families at: Wiregras Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Boulevard, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543
Pasco County Transportation bus will provide free transportation to the shelter from 3 parking lot locations: K-Mart (US 19 & SR 52); Harbour Freight (US 10 & Main), and West Marine (US 19 &Moog Rd). You can bring your family, however, they will not be placed in the same area.
Be ready to show ID on the bus and you must identify your status when you arrive. [Reminder from brochure – “Failing to identify yourself as an SO on school property is a misdemeanor.” That’s the last thing you wanted to hear, but unfortunately it had to be said.]
DUVAL COUNTY (update):
My PO called me today (9/7) and said that I could go to the Legends Center at 5130 Soutel Dr. Jax, FL. I’m assuming anyone on probation or any RSO not on probation is allowed to go there.
You can go to the Legends Center at 5130 Soutel Drive in Jacksonville if you are a RSO . I was at the Center last year and was treated with respect and the JSO officers said that we where better behaved then the rest of the people there. They was very helpful to us RSO’s & it made me feel a lot better about myself the way I was treated like a Human again. My hat go’s out to the JSO and the Legends Center !! Thank You
Hillsborough County Evacuation Shelter Website Quotation:
Homeless Sexual Offenders/Predators
If you are in need of shelter during a hurricane evacuation, please note that you will not be able to seek shelter at any evacuation shelter that is located at a school, and that any restrictions on your whereabouts remain intact. Some non-school based shelter sites may be able to provide shelter, at the discretion of the shelter director. You are encouraged to find a private alternative you can evacuate to if needed. If you are unable to locate such an alternative, you may contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) at their toll free number, 1-888-357-7732, to explore other evacuation options.
CALL THEM BEFORE YOU BOTHER GOING TO A SHELTER !!!!
MARION COUNTY
The only place a registrant can seek shelter is the Marion County Jail.
OKEECHOBEE COUNTY
The only choices RSO’s have are to stay home, with friends and family or to report to the County Jail visitation area according to Michelle Bell. No pets.
Okeechobee Sheriff Office
Sheriff’s Department
504 NW 4th St
If on probation follow PO’s orders.
LAKE COUNTY
Much like many of the other counties in Central Florida, they will turn you away from all shelters in the county. They will have space at the Lake County Jail (Main Jail) in Tavares. They said they won’t put you in your own pod (CELL) but you will be locked in for the entire time and subject to all the rules as if you were a prisoner. You must show up with your ID in hand, and you can NOT come and go as you please.
Lake County Jail
551 W Main St
Tavares, FL 32778
PINELLAS COUNTY
The Continental Inn at 12810 US Hwy 19N, Clearwater, FL 33764 provides long-term housing for registered citizens, and DOES have limited space for shelter during Irma. Please call them first to confirm that they have space, as they are trying to accommodate anyone who needs shelter during this time. The office number is: 727-346-3350.
We have also heard from the SPOT officer who oversees the Palace MHP here in Pinellas Cy that they are not enforcing the mandantory mobile home evacuation, particularly for folks who have nowhere else to go… however if you do have family, friends, etc. that you can stay with, they are encouraging people to act safely, as a mobile home is a last resort for shelter during this time. They cautioned everyone to check with their PO if they are on probation prior to leaving their registered address.
LAKE COUNTY
Much like many of the other counties in Central Florida, they will turn you away from all shelters in the county. They will have space at the Lake County Jail (Main Jail) in Tavares. They said they WOULD put you in your OWN pod (CELL) but you will be locked in for the entire time and subject to all the rules as if you were a prisoner. You must show up with your ID in hand, and you can NOT come and go as you please.
Lake County Jail
551 W Main St
Tavares, FL 32778
Anyplace Near PASCO COUNTY
The Sheriff there invites registrants from other counties who are being left with nowhere to go to come to a shelter he’s set up for registrants and their families: http://web.tampabay.com/news/weather/hurricanes/hurricane-irma-pasco-to-open-shelter-for-sex-offenders/2336670
Marion County has posted this on their county website
If Sex Offenders or Sex Predators need to evacuate, they are encouraged to first seek shelter with family or friends, in a non-residency restricted area. If that is not an option, they must report to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender /Predator Unit office for shelter
http://www.marionso.com/hurricane-irma/
Charlotte County on GPS monitor. Family evacuated, I don’t know what to do. PO said to Call Thursday but they up and left.