Member Submission: Signing a paper at address verification
I have a new officer that comes by and provides a copy of the FDLE printout of our registry information. He states: Review this, make sure that it is accurate, sign and date it!” I informed him that I register through JREC quarterly as required by law. This continued,. I told him that no law compelled my compliance. Once he states it was to update hus information, I informed him of the “48 hour rule”. The he states it is to verify that he saw me. Cops are trained vti lie to you and the lies keep changing. I filed an IA Complaint, spoke with an Investigator, who agreed with me, hus letter to me was a coverup. Last month the cop asked me if I wished to sign stating that it is optional, although he only stated that to me and not all registered Person’s and I was told would be done. He the had the audacity to ask me if anything has changed, to which I replied :”That would be a registry question.” I live in Duval County, FL. The officer in question is: Detective Anderson, Badge #: 7870 and Investigating officer was: Sergeant J L. Baxley, Badge #: 7740. Persons required to register in Duval County are not required to review, sign, date anything or answer any registry questions during residency verification!
Fortunately I live in a state that does not require address verification and has a “preemption clause” in its registry laws. This prevents law enforcement or any political subdivision of the state from enacting ordinances or policies pertaining to those on the registry.
Just yesterday two county deputies arrived at my property to perform an address verification. I told them this was unnecessary because it was not required by law. I did not even acknowledge my name. I wished them a good day and they left.
My reason for doing that was to stop them from exceeding their legal mandate. In 2019, a letter was sent to the sheriff from our local NARSOL affiliate advising him that extending the legislative mandate put him in violation of state law. Apparently he didn’t get the message.
Any opposition to law enforcement must be made with a firm knowledge of the law. In my state, that is much easier than in states that don’t have a preemption clause, where violating some obscure ordinance is a real possibility.
Ed
I know a guy who has been off the registry for some time now, and yet he still has local cops come by doing address checks. They tell him since he is in the city limits, they can do their own “Felon checks”.
Not going to name him not where he lives in Florida but this is insane. He spoke with a lawyer that stated there is nothing legally he could do as police can knock on any door they want. He advised him to just not answer the door when he sees them as he is under no obligation to do so. A crock of royal *hit if you ask me.
I would file an Internal Affairs Complaint if I were him. Make sure to include their names and badge numbers.
Years ago, I was living in Sanilac County Michigan, and the sheriff department there was extremely rude. The female deputy told me I needed to bring in a utility bill with my name and address on it to prove I lived where I said I did. I told her my name and address is on my driver license, and that I was not required to prove anything to them. Two weeks later I got a phone call stating they had no record of me verifying, to which I responded “that’s strange, because I have a signed copy of the registration forms.” It seemed to make them back off, because I never heard from them again and eventually I moved to Oakland County. When I used to live in Waterford, within 2 or 3 days of me verifying, the local police would come to my home at 2 or 3 in the morning banging on my door to do their compliance checks, and they would continue to come for 3-5 days in a row. I filed a complaint for harassment, but it didn’t stop anything. When I moved out of that jurisdiction to where I am now, I have never had 1 compliance check, and I have been here for almost 7 years now.
I’ve always refused to cooperate with these compliance checks by telling the cops that I am not on parole or probation and therefore do not have to act like I am. I told them that is the only statement I will give before invoking my 5th amendment right.
Disgusted
Even when I was on probation, the probation officer never came to my door after 10 pm or before 7am (Depending on my work schedule). AND, believe it or not, if she had a hard time finding me home, she would call me on her cell phone and ask when I would be home.
I have heard here on FAC of some registerents having law enforcement peeking in their windows when they didn’t come to the door. Now who is the peeping Tom? Just shady and creepy.
AS OF TODAY OUR RIGHTS OF PRIVACY HAVE BEEN TAKEN AWAY and reverted back to your state jurisdictions…..
CHECK YOUR STATE’S Rights REQUIREMENTS
ONE OF THE WORST DAYS IN AMERICA, as the now the Federal Government can swing the Puck, even further
My local sheriff’s office comes by with a similar paper but they say that my (our) signature is to prove that you was present at the address and that the officer actually conducted the address verification. In my area I might not see an officer 6 months to a year or more. Im not complaining but apparently, at times this has become an issue where officers say they verified an address. When actually they never did and then someone absconded. In my case and in this small town most of the officers know me personally lol. Both from my run ins with law enforcement during my drug days but also from building a positive reputation with them and showing them how my life has improved since and that I’m not an actual threat to society. I can imagine that building a good reputation with law enforcement in larger city might not happen so easily.
This is but one of the excuses used on me. You have to keep in mind that you are not even required to be home when they show up, unless you are still in probation and it us during your curfew hours. If he tells you again that it is only to prove that you were there then tell him that that is apparently a cya issue for him and no law, rule or statute compells your compliance. I myself filed an Internal Affairs Complaint and won.
Well at least you do not get a large yellow Flyer posted to your front if you are not home. It is Bright Yellow and says SEX OFFENDER with a sheriff’s badge in the center. I thought that was ruled against under compelled speech, but I guess law enforcement does what they want, not what they should.
I said I am not required to be home at certain times unless I am on probation. Furthermore, my life should not have to revolve around waiting for you to randomly come by. I have asked them to call me, even on a blocked # to see if I am home or find a time I can be home. NOPE, not good enough, says it has to be random to prove I live there? Really just because you find me there at any time still does not prove I live there.
Many of them seem to “Get off” on harassing us and as former law enforcement myself, I do believe some of these officers were bullied as kids and now get off on having power over others. Maybe instead they should sign up for the WWE and take their aggressions out that way. It is like a rabid dog going after a kitten.
Not comparing ourselves to anyone but as an example, In the case of George Floyd, people were filming the police and there was hard evidence of what the police get away with. When the officer comes to our house, he refuses to look at the camera. He always wants me to come out to the driveway. At first I refused but if I don’t he shouts real loud so all the neighbors can hear that he is there for my “SEX OFFENDER verification visit”.
Not sure how this is not probation like punishment. Name one single other person or group in the U.S that has to submit to this harassment that is not on probation, parole or house arrest? While the rest of the country gets more and more human and civil rights, ours are slowly……….no, speedily being taken away, one by one.
In my county, at address verification they often ask, “any changes?”
The proper response, in my view, is always “no.” More expedient, I think, than a defensive response such as, “I timely disclose all changes at registration.”
I agree, and the fact that they ask if there are any changes, IMO that is so ambiguous that it could mean anything, therefore any response couldn’t be legally binding as you could mean precisely what you saying, but not necessarily in the same manner that they may be implying.
Home Verification is just that, to verify that you reside at the address provided. Ask them to cute the law, rule ir statute that compels your compliance. I would the get their name and badge numbers a file an Internal Affairs Complaint. It worked for me.