How accurate is the National Sex Offender Registry website (Tampa: sex offenders, felony)

[sueinge]

I know there are a gazillion sexual predators in Florida and I have looked at the website that is supposed to show where they live, but I am wondering if anyone knows the accuracy of that or other websites? I want to make sure that I don't move into a neighborhood where there is one on my street or in the area, for that matter. I have two little boys and I get squimish every time I think about the whole thing.

[Songbird42]

I was just on the sexual offender site and according to it, there are nine people within a mile of my home, my son who lives 3 miles away from me has 10 people within a mile. Thats scary to me that in one area there are over 19 sexual offenders within such a small area. Between drug dealers and sexual offenders, life in Florida sure isn't getting any better, is it?

[sueinge]

That is a lot! It is sooo scary!!

[jessiegirl_98]

Well, the law mandates that the sexual offenders register, so it is pretty accurate.

[stpeteguy]

Good luck finding an area in the Tampa bay area that doesn't have sexual offenders living near you. They are everywhere. I've got a couple within a mile of my house.

As long as you know their face and address, I wouldn't worry too much. They know they are marked. It's the ones who AREN'T on the list that you have to worry about.

[sueinge]

Very true, StPeteGuy, very true!

[veronica2]

Just wondering.....why so many sex offenders in florida???.......I find that the further south , the more there are. Can anybody figure out why?

[bentlebee]

Easy answer....warm weather! Many of them are homeless and sleep in the streets and it is nicer to sleep outised when it is warm than up North where it is cold. That is why Fl. and CA. have the most, but it way cheaper being in Fl. so most try to get here and with Mayor Bloomberg giving them a free ticket back home, we will get even more...

[xlabel]

The FL DOC website is pretty accurate. You can even sign up to recieve e-mail alert if a new offender moves into the neighborhood.

Florida Department of Corrections -- Homepage

You scroll down to the "Felony probation" section and there is a line for sex offender search. You just have to put in your zipcode. It's pretty accurate. Within a month about a 1/4 mile down the road from my house, a new manufactured home was installed on a lot and much to my dislike it turns out the new "resident" is a predator. Within 1 week of that new home being put there, the predator was on the website, picture and all.

[kdubose]

Originally Posted by stpeteguy

Good luck finding an area in the Tampa bay area that doesn't have sexual offenders living near you. They are everywhere. I've got a couple within a mile of my house.

As long as you know their face and address, I wouldn't worry too much. They know they are marked. It's the ones who AREN'T on the list that you have to worry about.

Ive got 21 within a mile of my home and I live in a decently nice area. Knowledge will be your best protection. As long as you keep up to date with the names, faces and addresses of the offenders AND show your kids as well, then you should be ok. You also should read their charges because the "Predators" are the ones that your REALLY should be watching out for... alot of the offenders are sometimes young 20 something guys who had a 14-17 year old girlfriend and got busted by the parents... Im not saying that their choices were good, but its not like theyre the ones out there molesting the little kids either.