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4 Sexual Offenders Must Find New Homes

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By NATALIE SHEPHERD News Channel 8

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 6, 2008

TAMPA - A day care at the John Calvin Presbyterian Church opened this week, and that means some neighbors will have to move.

An apartment complex across the street from the Seminole Heights church houses 10 sex offenders, four of whom aren't allowed to live near the day care, said Jo Ellyn Rackleff, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Corrections.

The state says those four residents will have to move. Florida law doesn't allow anyone convicted of a sex crime against a child to live within 1,000 feet of a place children gather, such as a school or day care.

Rackleff said Friday that three of the four have now found other homes and one is still looking.

The law doesn't apply to the other six residents, who can stay in their apartments.

There is no timeline for sex offenders to move out of the apartment complex. It is up to the offender to find a new place to live and then a corrections agent checks the new address to make sure it conforms with the law.

"It is increasingly difficult for these individuals to find places to live," Rackleff said. "We are giving them time to find something to ensure their successful transition."

John Calvin Presbyterian Church is at 6501 N. Nebraska Ave. and the apartment building is at 6601 N. Nebraska Ave. Several motels are in the area, too.

The church has put precautions in place to make sure the children stay safe, the Rev. Earl Smith said. There is a high fence around the church yard as well as surveillance cameras and blinds.

Reporter Natalie Shepherd can be reached at (813) 225-2703 or nshepherd@wfla.com.

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