The city of Oviedo in Seminole County is trying to pass a law prohibiting sexual predators and certain other sex offenders from living within a one mile "restricted zone" of schools, churches, day-care centers, parks and playgrounds. State law now prohibits sexual predators and certain other sex offenders from living withing 1000 feet (or about one-fifth of a mile) of the places where children congregate.
Similar legislation is being pushed in Miami Beach, where officials there are trying to create a restricted zone 2500 feet (or about one-half of mile) wide. Given Miami Beach's peninsular shape, this would essentially drive sexual predators and perhaps some other sex offenders from the city). The effort in Oviedo would have a similar impact, creating very large restricted zones.
Groups that will likely protest such laws on behalf of sex offenders face an uphill battle. They'll argue that these laws impede upon the Constitutional Rights of the sex offenders. But, come on, children have Constitutional Rights too!
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