--- title: "Sexual Predator and Identification Program" type: "pdf" year: "1999" canonical: "/projects/1215" --- 99-66 # Tampa Police Department # Table of Contents - [Tampa Police Department](#tampa-police-department) - [Sexual Predator Identification \& Notification (S.P.LN.) Program](#sexual-predator-identification-notification-spln-program) - [1999](#1999) - [Herman Goldstein Award Submission Package](#herman-goldstein-award-submission-package) - [Tampa Police Department Sexual Predator Identification \& Notification (S.P.I.N.) Program 1999 Herman Goldstein Award Application](#tampa-police-department-sexual-predator-identification-notification-spin-program-1999-herman-goldstein-award-application) - [Tampa Police Department Sexual Predator Identification \& Notification (S.P.LN.) Program 1999 Herman Goldstein Award Application S.A.R.A. Model](#tampa-police-department-sexual-predator-identification-notification-spln-program-1999-herman-goldstein-award-application-sara-model) - [SCANNING](#scanning) - [ANALYSIS](#analysis) - [City of Tampa Part I Offenses](#city-of-tampa-part-i-offenses) - [RESPONSE](#response) - [ASSESSMENT](#assessment) - [Areas Identified for Potential Program Improvement:](#areas-identified-for-potential-program-improvement) - [AGENCY AND OFFICER INFORMATION](#agency-and-officer-information) - [Tampa Police Department](#tampa-police-department) - [Sexual Predator Identification \& Notification (S.P.I.N.) Program](#sexual-predator-identification-notification-spin-program) - [Tampa Police Department](#tampa-police-department) - [S.P.I.N. Program](#spin-program) - [S.P.I.N. Program Training Syllabus](#spin-program-training-syllabus) - [Sexual Predator/Offender Training](#sexual-predatoroffender-training) - [Law Enforcement Issues](#law-enforcement-issues) - [Common Questions About Predators & Offenders](#common-questions-about-predators-offenders) - [The "Second Strike"](#the-second-strike) - [Predator Qualifying Offense](#predator-qualifying-offense) - [The "One is Enough"](#the-one-is-enough) - [Predator Qualifying Offense](#predator-qualifying-offense) - [Tampa Police Department](#tampa-police-department) - [S.P.I.N. Program](#spin-program) - [C.A.D. Statistics](#cad-statistics) - [Tampa Police Department](#tampa-police-department) - [UCR Matrix Report - Time Comparison Percent Differences](#ucr-matrix-report-time-comparison-percent-differences) - [(Period 1: 10/1/97 to 6/30/98 vs Period 2: 7/1/98 to 3/31/99)](#period-1-10197-to-63098-vs-period-2-7198-to-33199) - [Tampa Police Department](#tampa-police-department) - [S.P.LN. Program](#spln-program) - [Predator and Offender Activity Charts](#predator-and-offender-activity-charts) - [Sexual Predators In Tampa Activity Chart](#sexual-predators-in-tampa-activity-chart) - [July 1, 1998 to March 31, 1998](#july-1-1998-to-march-31-1998) - [Sexual Offenders In Tampa Activity Chart](#sexual-offenders-in-tampa-activity-chart) - [Jan 1, 1999 to March 31, 1999](#jan-1-1999-to-march-31-1999) ## Sexual Predator Identification \& Notification (S.P.LN.) Program ![img-0.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/99-66/img-0.jpeg) ## 1999 ## Herman Goldstein Award Submission Package # Tampa Police Department Sexual Predator Identification \& Notification (S.P.I.N.) Program 1999 Herman Goldstein Award Application #### Abstract For many years, the issue of public safety has been the cornerstone for building and implementing a myriad of policies, procedures and laws. Government leaders and institutions constantly look at the problems facing their communities, and search for new ways to improve the quality of life for residents, while making them safer places to live. One serious problem has been identified as being the cause of fear and frustration for many communities. This problem has often terrorized a community and stymied law enforcement agencies due to the fact that it was often elusive and struck at the most vulnerable of victims. This problem is sexual predators within a community. On July 1,1998, the State of Florida enacted a law specifically aimed at restricting and preventing sexual predators from living and moving throughout communities, without the knowledge of the residents or the law enforcement agencies within protecting those communities. This law, cited as, "the Florida Sexual Predator Act," was intended to increase public safety by keeping the public informed as to the release, movement and final living place of individuals identified as being sexual predators. Every law enforcement agency within the state was tasked with developing ways to alert the residents within their jurisdictions when a sexual predator was released back into the community. Prior to the enactment of this law, the Tampa Police Department had already implemented a philosophy of community oriented policing throughout its department. Spearheading those efforts is the Community Oriented Policing (C.O.P.) Firehouse Unit. This unit consists of over 70 officers, specially trained in problem solving and community policing tactics. The Firehouse Unit was selected to analyze the problems associated with meeting the intent of this new law and developing a program that not only would inform the public, but would also monitor every known sexual predator identified as living within the city. As a result of this assignment, the Firehouse Unit created the Sexual Predator Identification \& Notification (S.P.I.N.) Program. This program is currently the most cohesive, comprehensive, intensive and unique program of its type within the state today. The program combines the resources of a custom-made computer database, a city owned public access television station, and the many established community partnerships created through the efforts of the Firehouse Unit to achieve success. The end result is increased public safety through community awareness and intensive offender monitoring. # Tampa Police Department Sexual Predator Identification \& Notification (S.P.LN.) Program 1999 Herman Goldstein Award Application S.A.R.A. Model ## SCANNING On July 1,1998, the State of Florida enacted a law specifically aimed at restricting and preventing sexual predators from living and moving throughout communities, without the knowledge of the residents or the law enforcement agencies within those communities. This law, cited as, "The Florida Sexual Predator Act," was intended to increase public safety by keeping the public informed as to the release, movement and final living place of individuals identified as being sexual predators. The Tampa Police Department, along with every other law enforcement agency within the state, was tasked with developing ways to alert the residents within their respective jurisdictions when a sexual predator was released back into the community. The enactment of this law was the result of a combination of incidents and conditions that demanded a systematic approach to the problem of sexual predators residing in a community. For several years prior to this law, numerous incidents had been documented of sexual predators preying upon helpless victims, more often children, in many communities. The media would then sensationalize these reports throughout the headlines and airways. Public attention would subsequently focus on the threats to the communities that would then lead to fear and frustration. Throughout all of this the public was not alone. Law enforcement agencies were also dealing with this increasing threat to public safety, hi addition, the legislature heard the public outcry and realized that it had both the ability and obligation, to create a law that would break away from past statutes by placing the needs of public safety over the rights of an individual's privacy. No longer would sexual predators be allowed to hide behind their right to privacy while they continued to deprive the victim's of their rights to live in peace and safety. In Florida Statute 775.21(3), of The Florida Sexual Predators Act, the legislature presented its findings and purpose, as it detailed its legislative intent. In essence, the findings concluded that sexual predators present an extreme threat to public safety and, due to the nature of the psychological profile of the offender, the likelihood of recidivism is extremely high. The legislature was extremely observant as to the underlying factors of this very sensitive issue and took an aggressive position in dealing with the problem at its very core. But, with the creation of this monumental law came another problem. How would local law enforcement agencies create and implement policies and procedures to comply with the intent of this law? The Tampa Police Department immediately began to analyze and develop a proactive response program to deal with this community problem. # ANALYSIS Prior to the enactment of The Florida Sexual Predator Act, The Tampa Police Department had already shifted away from traditional, reactive, policing policies to the proactive philosophies of Community Oriented Policing (C.O.P.). The core of this philosophy lies in the principles of reducing crime and the fear of crime, while improving the quality of life for the residents of a community. This is accomplished through proactive problem solving partnerships between law enforcement, the public, and other entities throughout the community. This philosophy has proved highly successful resulting in overall citywide reduction in Part 1 criminal offenses of $30.19 \%$ over the last five years. # City of Tampa Part I Offenses ![img-1.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/99-66/img-1.jpeg) Spearheading the C.O.P. efforts of the department is the Firehouse Unit. This unit consists of over 70 officers, specially trained in problem solving and community policing tactics. The officers assigned to this unit are divided uniformly throughout the city in order to provide complete coverage on both day and evening shifts. Their patrol zones are based on the same geographic zones as those of the 20 fire stations belonging to the Tampa Fire Department. Over the last four years this unit has built up a strong reputation of public trust and commitment in dealing with the quality of life problems that face the communities throughout the city. The Firehouse Unit was selected to analyze the problems associated with meeting the intent of The Florida Sexual Predator Act and developing a program that not only would inform the public, but would also monitor every known sexual predator identified as residing within the city. In addition, previous partnerships with other law enforcement agencies were expanded upon to analyze the problem and crime analysis of recidivism rates and "M.O.'s" of offender/predators were reviewed. During the analysis it was important to note that, from a law enforcement perspective, the problem of sexual predators in the community has always existed. What has changed is that the problem was never fully addressed until the laws changed and the media/public became aware. The problem has continued because of the obvious motives of the offender, to find new victims. This was made easier by the offender's ability to remain anonymous to his victims for so long. The subsequent harm to the community was a combination of fear within the community, desperation and fear in the target population, and the tremendous long-term emotional impact to victims and their families. The analysis also looked at how the problem was addressed before the law was enacted. From a law enforcement standpoint, as suspects were identified, initial arrests and referrals were made to the criminal justice system and possibly the Division of Probation and Parole (P\&P). There was usually no exchange of information on criminal histories between law enforcement and $\mathrm{P} \& \mathrm{P}$, and no follow-up of offenders was conducted by law enforcement following the prosecution phase of the criminal justice process, hi addition, no departmental wide training was provided to law enforcement officers about these types of offenders or their specific characteristics and M.O.'s. The results of dealing with the problem in this fashion were that offenders could be released from the prison systems (after serving minimal sentences), virtually unsupervised, and blend back into the community while targeting new victims. The final part of the analysis revealed a combination of the causes and underlying conditions that not only precipitated the initial problem, but also identified a much greater problem than was originally considered. The Firehouse Unit discovered that the new law, provided loopholes for sexual offenders, by giving them lesser classifications (safety risk designations) then sexual predators, although their offenses may have been more severe. This was due to the statute's wording of when the date was originally assigned to the offender's offense. Another concern brought to light while reviewing the statute was the fact that while an offender's probation period might be as little as 5 years, his or her classification as a sexual offender/predator might continue for a total of 20 years. Without continued monitoring by local law enforcement, the offenders/predators might be able to disappear into society again, since Probation and Parole would no longer be closely supervising them. During the final analysis, the Firehouse Officers identiffed 30 sexual predators and approximately 284 sexual offenders residing within the city limits of Tampa. Analysis of these offender's criminal histories revealed that both the offenders and predators all had histories of multiple offenses. Important to members of the Firehouse Unit was the following statistical fact. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, "Offenders who serve time for sexual assault were 7.5 times as likely as those convicted of other crimes to be re-arrested for a new sexual assault." Because of the nature of this offense, statistics indicate that rehabilitation of sexual offenders/predators is highly unlikely and therefore recidivism is a strong possibility. It was this underlying concern that revealed a need for the development of a program that offered an aggressive response to this problem. # RESPONSE In determining the range of possible alternatives to deal with the problem, many methods and tactics were considered. The department immediately recognized that it was most important to have a well thought out, organized response to the problem. Realizing that the changes in the law reflected upon a specific problem in the community, the initial program and training development in this area was assigned to the Firehouse Unit The unit made contact with several other law enforcement agencies in an effort to gauge what their levels of response would be to the new law. Several alternatives were being used by other agencies most of which appeared to be set up to meet the bare minimum requirements outlined within the state statute. Other agencies appeared to be primarily concerned with using the least amount of resources possible to meet the new state statute's requirements for public notiffcations of sexual predators within the community. Fact in point, many agencies selected to merely rely upon the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Internet website for the public notifications in their jurisdictions. Unfortunately, not everyone has Internet access. Some additional methods included: t- Notifications by ^ Passing out information at Neighborhood Watch Meetings, mail. ^ Notifications by ^ Limiting the notifications to 1 mile around schools and day cares, as telephone. per the statute's minimum requirement. $t$ - Notifications by fax. It was further observed that of these limited forms of notifications, only one or two of the methods were being used on a regular basis by any one agency. Without a system of accountability, it was difficult to determine if the information was being further disseminated to the residents and school officials who needed it most. The Firehouse Unit determined that the bare minimums would not meet the public safety needs of the residents of Tampa. With this in mind the unit formulated the following response: - The unit created a departmental Standard Operation Procedure (S.O.P.) and specific protocols. The unit created a custom made Sexual Predator/Offender Computer Database, using existing Microsoft Access software. Every officer within the department can access this database (Enclosure 1). - The unit developed a systematic approach for the monitoring of both sexual predators and sexual offenders. The statute only addressed the monitoring of the predators but the unit chose to include the offenders due to the public safety reasons already discussed. This approach included: > Monthly checks (home/work visits) by Firehouse Officers in each shift of offenders/predators. This equates to approximately 3 contacts per month by law enforcement officers. > Continuous monitoring of offenders/predators that include soliciting neighborhood residents (through the Neighborhood Watch Program) in reporting any unusual activities of the known offenders/predators to officers. > Verification and dissemination to all officers (throughout the department), the probation and parole conditions of release for the offenders/predators and a copy of the F.D.L.E. website page with picture of each predator who lives in the city (Enclosure 2). V Verification of mandated State I.D. Card/Drivers License requirements of offender/predators for accuracy. > Daily checks of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website for new reports of offenders/predators, status changes and conditions. - The unit created an extensive system for public notifications. These notifications are made within 48 hours of the department receiving new information. This system includes: > Face to face notifications of all schools, day cares, and nursery schools, within 11/2 miles of the offender/predator's residence (the state only requires 1 mile). The schools are provided a copy of the F.D.L.E. website page corresponding to the sexual predator in their area (Enclosure 2). In addition, the unit requires a signature from the representative of the institution that was notified, which tends to increase the representative's participation in disseminating the information (by holding them accountable for having received it). > Repeated City of Tampa Cable Television (C'ITV) broadcasts via the cable news network that includes photographs, names and addresses of known predators. $\wedge$ Neighborhood Watch notifications. > Partnership with the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office (HCSO), in which they include listing the offenders/predators in the city on their Internet website. > An agreement with the HCSO to insure 11/2 mile notifications occur in those areas along the border of the city limits. * The unit developed and implemented an extensive training program, specifically for this problem, that included: > Training all Firehouse Unit Officers, line officers and School Resource Officers on: - Legal issues/changes (Enclosure 3). - Methodology of Offenders/Predators. - Protocols. - Accessing the T.P.D. Sexual Offender/Predator Database. (Note: The Firehouse Officers received additional training in how to present information to the public in an informative manner without increasing fear in the community (creating awareness). In developing this organized response to the problem, the Firehouse Unit had started by establishing the evaluation criteria they felt were most important before implementation of the response alternative. In no specific order, but of equal importance, these criteria included: - Complying with changes in State Statutes (The LAW). - The legality issues of how to implement protocols. > This meant determining how to implement the protocols without infringing on civil rights laws. - Reducmg/minirnizing any liabilities to the department by insuring that all-possible avenues of compliance were exhausted. - Public safety needs. The intent or ultimate goals of the response plan were to: - Maximize community awareness and increased public safety through thorough and consistent notifications. - Reduce recidivism by continuous public awareness and monitoring of sexual offenders/predators by both law enforcement and the community. In order to solve the problems that had been identified, the Firehouse Unit had to look at all available resources. Fortunately, many of the resources were already in place and were working together on other problems as a result of prior community policing efforts. Coordinated by the Firehouse Unit, the below listed resources took on the responsibility of solving these problems. ![img-2.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/99-66/img-2.jpeg) Prior to implementing the response, supervisors and officers of the Firehouse Unit met with the Chief of Police, the Tampa Police Legal Advisor, the SAO, the FDOC, HCSO and solicited their input and cooperation in the program's development and implementation. There were difficulties encountered during the implementation of the response. Some of these difficulties were a matter of perception and some were actual obstacles that had to be worked through or around in order to achieve success. These difficulties, although few, could not just be dismissed. Utilizing a combination of training, partnership building techniques and determination, the Firehouse Unit worked closely with all the resource groups to overcome the following obstacles. (Perception) A small amount of resistance from which the program must be the concept of an additional work load, which is common when a single program has been introduced. (Perception) Overcoming feelings of members of the EBOOH Division of Statistics and Parole that law enforcement officers were intruding on, in the formulation of their authority and creating extra work for them. (Actual) The extra administrative workload of developing, building, and maintaining an computer database. (Actual) The extra administrative workload of developing and maintaining a system to coordinate and monitor the program. # ASSESSMENT In assessing the overall success of the program it was important to remember that many of the statistics gathered as part of this program had never been formally collected before. So comparisons in certain areas (such as the number of predators arrested within the city prior to the start of this program) was not available for direct comparison. This was mainly due to the fact that prior to changes in the state statutes, the classification designation of sexual offenders and predators was not defined, or used, for reporting purposes. Therefore, no such prior database exists. Since the inception of the S.P.I.N. program, the Firehouse Unit has consistently collected incoming data on all areas of the program. This was done in an effort to not only monitor the success of the program, but also to evaluate the policies and procedures that had been implemented and make program adjustments as needed. The overall evidence collected to date has indicated that the program is highly successful. An indication of this is that within the last month (prior to submission of this report) meetings were held between members of the T.P.D. Firehouse Unit, the FDOC Division of Probation and Parole, and the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office. During those meetings the other two agencies have informed the Firehouse Unit that they are currently revising their policies and procedures in order to become more consistent and compatible with the Tampa Police Department's S.P.I.N. program. Of the comparable statistics available from the first 9 months of the program and the same period prior to that time, the results have been very positive (Enclosure 4). ![img-3.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/99-66/img-3.jpeg) The information gathered was then evaluated by members of the Firehouse Unit, the Chief of Police and Executive Staff, and members of the FDOC, Division of Probation and Parole. Implementing an intensive response plan such as the S.P.I.N. Program does not come without a few problems. During the start-up phase, as in many new programs, the problems included, but were not limited to: - Other divisions expressed concerns about their roles in the program. - Notifications for all 30 known predators had to be disseminated to approximately 1078 schools and daycare facilities within the City of Tampa. - Time management had to be scrutinized in order to maintain acceptable levels of commitment and resources to all areas of the unit's responsibility. In anticipation of these types of problems during the start-up phase of the program, proper planning and departmental training during the analysis and response phases of the program prevented any of the problems from becoming unmanageable. The S.P.I.N. program has been most successful and effective in its primary response goal of maximizing community awareness and increasing public safety through thorough and consistent notifications. This is recognized by the fact that the Firehouse Unit now has over 1100 schools and daycare facilities within the city that are kept updated on a frequent and regular basis about predator/offenders in their areas. This is in addition to the 48 -hour notifications that are made when new offender/predators move into, or return to live in, an area. In addition, Firehouse Units attend every Neighborhood Watch meeting that occurs within the city and provide updates to the coordinators and members of those groups. The S.P.I.N. Program has been highly successful in respect to the second stated response goal of reducing recidivism by continuous public awareness and monitoring of sexual offenders/predators by both law enforcement and the community. To date, under intense monitoring, only one of the registered sexual offenders has been re-arrested for a new sex offense. This is extremely important to note since so many prior studies have indicated the high propensity for recidivism by these types of offenders. As in any program, it is important to have a method of measuring results. The Firehouse Unit primarily measured the results of this program by insuring that it had met the stated goals and intent of the program as mentioned previously. Further measure of the success in accomplishing the program goals is illustrated in the following examples of some of the many incidents that have occurred throughout the program and its effects on the community. Public awareness has increased and WFLA News Channel 8 Television recently completed a positive in-depth story about the program. The offenders/predators have definitely felt and expressed the impact the program has had on their lives. In the first 9 months of the program 3 of the 30 predators moved out of the city (Enclosure 5). Two of those individuals, who were subsequently contacted by law enforcement, advised that they moved because they just couldn't handle the intense scrutiny of the police and residents of Tampa. Although this was not the intent of the program, the fact that the offenders are aware they are under such intensive monitoring is a definite deterrent to recidivism. In a case of how much difference is made by having an informed public, a known sexual predator being monitored by the program was making unwanted aggressive sexual propositions to a neighbor. The neighbor knew of the predator's history through public notifications and had rejected his advances. She informed other nearby residents and the Firehouse Unit of the predator's recent activity. Additional police monitoring was set up and the neighborhood was on heightened alert to report any suspicious activity on the part of the predator. The predator was subsequently observed to be violating several conditions of his probation, one of which was for a new charge of cruelty to animals. As a result of his observed activities, the F.D.O.C. used that information to initiate revocation of the predator's probation and he was arrested. As in most programs there remains room for improvement. Two areas were identified that are believed will make the program more effective. # Areas Identified for Potential Program Improvement: Soliciting local broadcast television stations to do free public service announcements on a regular basis, thereby providing the widest fastest dissemination possible. Soliciting local newspapers to include a weekly public service listing of sexual predator information. In any type of program that deals with a problem of such a serious nature, the question arises, "Was there a concern about displacing the problem to a new area?" The answer for the Tampa Police Department S.P.I.N. Program is, "No." The officers of the Tampa Police Department understand that our first responsibility is to our own jurisdiction and the communities that we serve. Our primary mission is to increasing public safety, while reducing crime, the fear of crime, and recidivism within our span of control. We work with neighboring jurisdictions to notify them whenever offenders/predators move to their areas and vice versa. We offer our systems to those jurisdictions in the hopes that if all communities implement these same types of programs then sexual predators/offenders will no longer be allowed to conceal themselves within any community. # AGENCY AND OFFICER INFORMATION The initial problem solving initiative for this program began with the Firehouse Unit of the Tampa Police Department. This was due to the fact that all of the members of this unit have previously received formal training in the philosophy and methods of C.O.P. and problem oriented policing. The Firehouse Unit is made up of veteran officers who have all volunteered for this assignment. Assignment to the Firehouse Unit is very selective due to it being considered to be a high profile assignment and the added training received by officers in this unit is beneficial for selection in future assignments. In addition, the added problem-solving training received by officers in this unit is beneficial to the department and the communities it serves. The core skills learned from the philosophy of community (problem) oriented policing provide a strong foundation for building programs such as this one. Without a commitment to this philosophy and adequate training, it would have been much more difficult and taken considerably longer to achieve the goals and intent of this program. Proof of which is that the S.P.I.N. Program was implemented, in a timely manner with available resources, and no additional expenses beyond the existing departmental budget. The model and database for this program has since provided the foundation for two new community (problem) oriented policing initiatives in Tampa, in the areas of Prostitution Offender Mapping and Narcotics Offender Mapping. # Tampa Police Department ## Sexual Predator Identification \& Notification (S.P.I.N.) Program ![img-4.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/99-66/img-4.jpeg) The information contained within this report is for Law Enforcement public notification purposes in compliance with the Florida Sexual Predator Notification Act (F.S.S. 944.607). For questions regarding any of the information contained in this report please contact the Tampa Police S.P.I.N. Program Liaison at 276-3637. Last Updated: April 19,1999 # Tampa Police Department ## S.P.I.N. Program Enclosure 3 ## S.P.I.N. Program Training Syllabus # Sexual Predator/Offender Training **Definitions:** The Florida Sexual Predator Act sets the criteria and guidelines for determination of an individual's status as a sexual predator or offender. According to this Act: "The designation of a person as a sexual predator or offender is neither a sentence nor a punishment, but simply a status resulting from the conviction of certain crimes." **A. Sexual Predator:** There are two ways to qualify as a sexual predator in the state of Florida. 1. Commit on or after October 1, 1993, one of the "one is enough" sexual predator offenses. 2. Commit a "second strike" sexual predator offense (on or after October 1, 1993) after having been previously been found to have committed one or more of certain other listed sexual offenses. **Additionally,** a written finding issued from the court qualifying the individual must be issued for the status to be imposed. **B. Sexual Offender:** Qualifications are broader. 1. Conviction for committing, attempting, soliciting, or conspiring to commit any of the designated sexual offenses. 2. Released from the sanction imposed for any conviction of these offenses on or after October 1, 1997. **C. Registration Requirements:** (As of October 1, 1998) 1. All predators and offenders, upon release or change of address, must, within 48 hours, respond to a driver's license office to register with DHSMV. All predators and offenders must have and maintain a valid FL driver's license or ID card. 2. Failure to comply with the registration requirements is a Third Degree Felony. # Law Enforcement Issues **A. Legislative changes and requirements** 1. As of July 1, 1998, local law enforcement was mandated to make notifications to all schools and daycares within one mile of a predator's residence. 2. Notifications must be made within 48 hours of notification by FDLE. 3. Notification methods are determined by local Sheriff or Chief of Police. 4. Offenders are also subject to notification, although it is not mandated by statute. **B. Tampa Police Department Procedures** 1. Firehouse Unit has primary responsibility for making community notifications. 2. Firehouse Unit maintains the sexual predator/offender database and ensures that information is updated regularly and available to all members of the department. 3. Firehouse Officers must conduct monthly checks on the predators in their area and complete a FIR. 4. District Officers will complete a FIR on any predator or offender who they come into contact with. A copy will be forwarded to the firehouse unit for inclusion in the database. 5. When an officer becomes aware that the subject that they are dealing with is a predator or offender, they should request that the area firehouse officer respond. This is solely to ensure that the officer on scene has as much information as possible on the subject in order to make the most informed decisions on their call. **C. Sexual Predator Database** 1. Available to all department personnel. 2. Windows shortcut icon "Predators". 3. Lets user search by name, vehicle, or grid. 4. Gives user the most recent, up to date information. 5. Information that is in LEADS, but specific to Predators/Offenders. # Common Questions About Predators & Offenders **Question:** What is the difference between Predators and Offenders? **Answer:** In short, a date, and the severity of offense, coupled with the second strike provision will get an individual classified a predator. Otherwise, the label will be offender. Also, those convicted prior to Oct. 1, 1993, are still labeled offenders. **Question:** Are Predators' offenses always against children? **Answer:** No. The criteria for predator classification include offenses such as sexual battery, regardless of the victim's age. **Question:** Do subjects keep their Predator or Offender labels forever? **Answer:** Predators and offenders convicted after Oct. 1, 1998, may petition the court for removal of designation, if they have successfully completed their probation and have not committed any felony or misdemeanor crimes for a period of 20 years. Convictions prior to 10/1/98 require a 10-year period without committing any crimes. **Question:** Is it possible for a Predator or Offender not to be on probation? **Answer:** Yes. However, if the designation is still there, they should still be within the time frame specified above for petitioning the court to remove the label. During that time, the subject still must follow the rules such as maintaining DHSMV registration. ## The "Second Strike" ## Predator Qualifying Offense A sexual predator is any person who has been convicted or is found to have committed On or After October 1, 1993* any offense, regardless of adjudication, or who pleas nolo contendere or guilty to any of these offenses *: | Seconddegree or greater Felony | $\begin{aligned} & \text { F0ct. } 1,1996 \ & \text { s. } 787.01 \end{aligned}$ | Kidnapping of a child under the age of 13, aggravating circumstances. Where the victim is a minor and the defendant is not the victim's parent | | --- | --- | --- | | | $\begin{aligned} & \text { F0ct. } 1,1996 \ & \text { s. } 787.02 \end{aligned}$ | False imprisonment of a child under the age of 13, aggravating circumstances. Where the victim is a minor and the defendant is not the victim's parent | | | s. 794 | Sexual Battery | | | s. 796.03 | Procuring a person under the age of 18 for prostitution. | | | s. 800.04 | Lewd, lascivious, or indecent assault or act upon or in the presence of a child. | | | s.825.1025(2)(b) | Lewd or lascivious battery upon an elderly person or disabled adult. | | | s. 827.071 | Child Abuse, employ, consent, promote, etc., sexual performance by a child. | | | s. 847.0145 | Selling or buying of minors for portrayal in a visual depiction engaging in sexually explicit conduct. | | Or A violation of a similar law of another jurisdiction | | | | *AND the offender has previously been convicted of or found to have committed or has pied nolo contendere or guilty to, regardless of adjudication, any violation of: | | | | 787.01 | Kidnapping of a child under the age of 13, aggravating circumstances. Where the victim is a minor and the defendant is not the victim's parent | | Sexual Predators Status Qualifiers and Obligations ## The "One is Enough" ## Predator Qualifying Offense A sexual predator is any person who has been convicted or is found to have committed, regardless of adjudication, or who plead nolo contendere or guilty to any of the following offenses which occurred ON or AFTER October 1, 1993: * unless otherwise noted. | Capital, Life, or First degree Felony | $\begin{aligned} & \text { F0ct. } 1,1996 \ & \text { s. } 787.01 \end{aligned}$ | Kidnapping of a child under the age of 13, aggravating circumstances. Where the victim is a minor and the defendant is not the victim's parent | | --- | --- | --- | | | $\begin{aligned} & \text { F0ct. } 1,1996 \ & \text { s. } 787.02 \end{aligned}$ | False imprisonment of a child under the age of 13, aggravating circumstances. Where the victim is a minor and the defendant is not the victim's parent | | | s. 794 | Sexual Battery | | | s. 847.0145 | Selling or buying of minors for portrayal in a visual depiction engaging in sexually explicit conduct. | | Attempt to commit a Capital, Life or First degree Felony | s. 794 | Sexual Battery Where the victim is a minor | | Or Any violation of a similar law of another jurisdiction. | | | # Tampa Police Department ## S.P.I.N. Program Enclosure 4 ## C.A.D. Statistics # Tampa Police Department ## UCR Matrix Report - Time Comparison Percent Differences ### (Period 1: 10/1/97 to 6/30/98 vs Period 2: 7/1/98 to 3/31/99) ![img-5.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/99-66/img-5.jpeg) | Period 1 | Period 2 | Reduction | Percentage of Change | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 300 | 253 | 47 | 16% | | 324 | 313 | 11 | 3% | | 624 | 566 | 58 | 9% | # Tampa Police Department ## S.P.LN. Program Enclosure 5 ## Predator and Offender Activity Charts # Sexual Predators In Tampa Activity Chart ## July 1, 1998 to March 31, 1998 *(Based on 389 S.P.I.N. Program Contacts)* ![img-6.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/99-66/img-6.jpeg) # Sexual Offenders In Tampa Activity Chart ## Jan 1, 1999 to March 31, 1999 ![img-7.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/99-66/img-7.jpeg) Project Contact Person: Name: $\quad$ Master Police Officer Jon Gamson Position/Rank: Projects and Initiative Liaison Address: Tampa Police Department Headquarters 411 N. Franklin Street, $4^{\text {th }}$ Floor City/State: $\quad$ Tampa, Florida 33602 Phone: $\quad 813-276-3335$ Fax: $\quad 813-276-3468$ E-mail: p33055@ci.tampa.fl.us (Word count: 3,796)