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Home My WebLink AboutSEX OFF 17.2B TEQUESTA POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER TITLE: SEXUAL OFFENDERS/ PREDATORS NOTIFICATION GENERAL ORDER: 17.2B EFFECTIVE: November 1, 2006 RESCINDS: 17.2A PAGES: 3 CONTENTS: This order consists of the following numbered sections: I. NOTIFICATION – SEXUAL PREDATORS II. SEXUAL OFFENDERS III. GLOSSARY PURPOSE: To establish agency policy to provide community notification of all registered sexual offenders and predators. SCOPE: This order applies to all Police Department members. DISCUSSION: The Florida Legislature enacted the Public Safety Information Act to provide means for law enforcement agencies to better protect the residents of their communities as to the location of sexual offenders and predators. This agency will take full advantage of the law to ensure the residents of Tequesta are fully informed about, and protected from, these criminals. POLICY: It shall be the policy of this agency to provide community notification on all registered sexual o- ffenders and predators in accordance with Florida Statute 775.21. The Tequesta Police Department does not register sexual predators or offenders; registration is done through the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office or FDLE. PROCEDURE: I.NOTIFICATION (SEXUAL PREDATORS): A. Verification of Information: Once the agency is notified of the presence of a sexual predator residing in the Village by FDLE/FCIC, the information will be forwarded to the supervisor of the detective division to begin the community notification process. First, a detective will visit the subject’s listed residence and verify the accuracy of their name and pedigree information contained in the FDLE notice. B. Compiling the Flyer: The flyer will be compiled using the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Internet sheet. This agency’s phone number and contact person shall be listed on the flyer. In accordance with Florida statutes, only public records information about the predator will be discussed by this agency. The flyer shall also list the date it is posted for public display. G.O.17.2B C. Publication: Once the agency receives the FDLE flyer that a predator resides in the Village, the information will be published in the Village newsletter for two consecutive months. D: Distribution Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Detective Division: Responsible for the distribution of flyers in the predator’s neighborhood. This area, at a minimum, shall include the entire block of the predator’s residence and the entire block facing the residence. Where a neighborhood cannot be readily defined by city blocks, the neighborhood shall be determined at the Chief’s discretion. This distribution can be conducted by Police Officers or volunteers at the direction of the assigned detective. 2.Patrol Division: Copies of the flyer shall be forwarded to the road patrol division for immediate distribution to all community schools and day care centers within a mile radius of the temporary or permanent residence of the sexual predator. In addition, flyers will be posted for one month on the Village’s official public notices bulletin boards. 3.Records Division: The original flyer shall be placed in a three ring binder in alphabetical order. This binder shall be available for public review at any time. Any questions from the public concerning a specific individual listed in the binder shall be directed to the detective division. Only public records information about the predator shall be discussed. E.FDLE: InquiriesPersons having questions about the offender/predator may contact FDLE’s toll free phone number 1-888-FL-PREDATOR or their website (http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/). All information related to these persons is considered public record under FSS. II. SEXUAL OFFENDERS: A. The same verification procedure used for Sexual Predators will be followed for Sexual Offenders unless the confirmation can be received through the registered sexual offender’s probation officer. B. After verification that the sexual offender resides at a certain address, the detective division will be permitted to notify citizens through the use of flyers to the offender’s immediate neighbors and, if in an apartment complex, to the leasing office. C. If the offender’s address is not current as required, then the assigned detective may enforce this requirement up to and including arrest. D. If an offender presents himself/herself to the department to register they will be directed to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department. III. GLOSSARY: SEXUAL OFFENDER - defined as an offender who has been convicted of any of the following offenses: Sexual battery (Chapter 794); Luring/enticing a child (787.025, F.S.); Procuring a person under 18 for prostitution (796.03, F.S.); Lewd act involving a child (800.4, F.S.); Sexual performance by a child (827.071, F.S.); D- istribution of obscene materials to a minor (847.0133, F.S.); Computer pornography (847.0135, F.S.); and Selling or buying of minors (847.0145, F.S.) And who is released on or after October 1, 1997 from sanction imposed for any conviction described. SEXUAL PREDATOR - defined as an offender who has either committed (on or after October 1, 1993) one of the “one is enough” sexual predator offenses (any capital, life, or first degree felony convictions of Chapter 794 or violation of 847.0145) OR has committed a “second offense” sexual predator offense (violation of Chapter 794, 800.04, 827.071 or 847.0145) after having been previously convicted of a violation of 794.011, 800.04, 827.071, 847.0133 or 847.0145. 2 G.O.17.2B INDEXING: SEXUAL OFFENDERS/PREDATORS SEXUAL OFFENDER NOTIFICATION SEXUAL PREDATOR NOTIFICATION DRAFTED: DJR/October 25, 2006/Filed: sexoff17.2B APPROVED: Pete Pitocchelli, Chief DATE: November 05, 2011 Tequesta, Florida 3