Member Submission: Halloween Letter to Senators
One of our Members chose to use his time on “Halloween House Arrest” productively. As he sat in his home with the porch lights off, he composed a letter to his Senators. He was kind enough to share it with us.
October 31, 2021
Dear Senator ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ____________,
I am writing today specifically because once again our Government has determined it is proper for the valuable resources of Law Enforcement to waste tax-payer money for no perceivable benefit.
Every Halloween a contingent of Sheriff’s Deputies are tasked to make home visits to people on the Sex Offender Registry. It makes no difference what that person’s status in our society is, somehow there is the belief that making sure no “offenders” are luring children to their homes with candy will alleviate offenses against children.
The regulations registered persons are subject to are difficult enough. No outside lights or Halloween decorations are permitted. For one night, either registrants have to hibernate in their homes, or perhaps leave altogether to avoid unreasonable contact with Law Enforcement.
As I am sure you are aware, the overwhelming majority of sexual offenses against children are perpetrated by relatives or friends, not some random person. The very existence of the registry is counter-productive to the safety of our community. Our laws often force people into homelessness, thus having the “potential” risks increased by having people become homeless.
When an ex-offender has fulfilled all their court ordered obligations, they should be able to re-join society without the constant fear of being harassed. The required in-person appearance multiple times per year, just to sign a piece of paper is a terrible burden on those without the means to have reliable transportation. Why cannot all information be supplied online, instead of the laborious process that exists now? Again, this is a waste of precious state funds at the time they are needed the most for programs that actually benefit people.
When our legislature voted to create a path for ex-felons to have rights restored, sex offenders were left out. Why should someone who committed a violent felony or was convicted in a DUI that resulted in death or injury be allowed to become a “regular” citizen of Florida and registered persons are not. The evidence has shown that recidivism among registrants is among the lowest of all categories of offenses.
The Florida Action Committee will gladly provide you with all the statistics and research that shows the virtually non-existent “frighteningly high rate of re-offense” which does not actually exist.
Senator your office provided a tremendous amount of assistance to our community. You have been a vital resource for information regarding the Covid pandemic. I understand it is not easy to tackle this sensitive topic, however, as John F. Kennedy wrote in “Profiles of Courage”: ““A man( or woman) does what he/she must — in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers, and pressures — and that is the basis of all human morality.”
I wish you great success in your future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Presumptive Justice, Defamation by intimidation such as if one pleads guilty to an offense than what is considered the lesser of the two evils. I’m sure the answer is found in the bible or are both guilty. Is much of this registry sound reasoning. Pretending and masquarding around to get some satisfication of intent. Who is playing the devils workshop. Who is controlling the factors that are false leading. Even esculating the offense is a bit out of character for those who are suppose to protect and serve in real time situations. So how does man serve today?
Those that say, I have come to know God and yet do not keep his commandments is a liar. While FAC talks about intent is the intent subjective or objective. Are both subjective and based on opinions which have no factual value as in much of this registry game. Sure letter writting is good if it gets results. One wonders if government are keeping commandments today. One neven wonders today who’s afraid of the big bad wolf.
Great letter!!! A very productive use of time! Bravo to you!
A great letter, well done!!! Bravo!!
Nice letter, even my wife and i sat home, all lights off, and watched some movies, keep the Ring Doorbell app on iPhone ready if someone rings doorbell…
Every year same thing, get a warning from police about it, an unwritten law in my city, no law in book, just suggesting…..
No one one came to entire condo, I didn’t expect anyone would with covid still around…
Very well written. Let us hope and pray that it does not fall on deaf ears.
“For the LORD gives wisdom, and from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.”
Proverbs 2:6