CAPE CORAL –Cape Coral is working on changing a law to make the city’s children safer from sex offenders.
The plan involves changing the definition of parks, playgrounds, and schools, and where sex offenders can live in relation to those places.The city has always been strict when it comes to sex offenders and predators, and changes to the ordinance would help ensure no problems in the future.
“It’s always been stricter for the city,” said Cpl. Phil Mullen with CCPD.
The ordinance would be amended to ensure they know where sex offenders and predators live within city limits.
“The best thing would be if they lock them down for the rest of their lives,” said Cape mom Alvana Alihodzic.
The wording would change so the city’s definition of schools, parks, and playgrounds would fall in line with Florida statutes.
“The distance from these places is staying the same, more restrictive than the state statute allows for, and it’s just bringing the language in line so our definitions match so there’s no ambiguity,” Mullin said.
All convicted sex offenders must live at least 2,500 feet from parks, schools, and playgrounds within Cape city limits.
Lee County and the state requires 1,000 feet.
“Am I worried about my kids? Yes. Do I know where the sex offenders are my neighborhood? Absolutely,” said Jessica Sloan.
A public hearing will be held December 5th to discuss the small changes that could help avoid bigger problems in the future.
There are at least 160 cities or counties in Florida with stricter standards than the state.
Miami-Dade County’s ordinance sets a 2,500-foot limit like Cape Coral’s does, but the population density in that county makes more places off limits.
That’s led to criticism that the ordinance is forcing sex offenders into homelessness, which makes them even harder to track.
Proposal to amend sex offender law in Cape Coral
