§ 58-232. Legislative findings and intent.

(a)

The findings set forth in the recitals to this article are hereby adopted as additional legislative findings.

(b)

The board of county commissioners of Levy County, Florida, hereby finds and determines that sexual predatory individuals present an extreme threat to the public safety. Predatory individuals are extremely likely to use physical violence and repeat their offenses, and most commit many offenses, have many more victims than are ever reported, and are prosecuted for only a fraction of their crimes. This makes the cost of predatory individuals' victimization to society at large, while incalculable, clearly exorbitant and a drain on the resources of society.

(c)

It is the intent of this article to serve the county's interest to promote, protect and improve the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Levy County by regulating areas where predatory individuals may congregate, reside, and frequent.

(d)

It is the intent of this article to reduce the potential risk of harm to children of the community by limiting the opportunity for predatory individuals to be in contact with unsuspecting children in locations that are primarily designed for use by children, are primarily used by children, are customary gathering places for children, or are where children reside whether permanently or temporarily. This article is not intended to interfere with a predatory individual's ability to participate in his or her own children's activities occurring at school and at other recreational type facilities, and is also not intended to interfere with a predatory individual's ability to attend church or conduct business with the government.

(e)

It is the intent of this article to reduce the potential risk of harm to children of the community by distancing predatory individuals from children in safety zones established pursuant to this article. It is also the intent of this article to reduce the potential dangers associated with saturation of a community by multiple predatory individuals living near families and vulnerable individuals by establishing residency restrictions that limit the number of sexual predatory individuals who may reside in residences, including single-family homes, apartment complexes, condominiums, mobile home parks and other multi-family units, and restrictions that limit the number of predatory individuals who reside at the same address.

(Ord. No. 2015-07 , § 2, 6-23-2015)