§ 13-70. Legislative findings and intent.

(a)

The findings set forth in the recitals ("whereas" clauses) of the ordinance from which this article is derived are hereby adopted as additional legislative findings.

(b)

The city council of the City of South Daytona hereby adopts the provisions of F.S. § 775.21(3)(a), which states as follows:

"Repeat sexual offenders, sexual offenders who use physical violence and sexual offenders who prey on children are sexual predators who present an extreme threat to the public safety. Sexual offenders are extremely likely to use physical violence and to repeat their offences, and most sexual offenders 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 sexual offender victimization to society at large, while incalculable, clearly exorbitant.

The high level of threat that a sexual predator presents to the public safety, and the long-term effects suffered by victims of sex offenses, provide the state with sufficient justification to implement a strategy..."

(c)

The city council of the City of South Daytona hereby adopts the provisions of F.S. § 947.1405(8), which provides, in pertinent part:

"It is the finding of the Legislature that the population of offenders released from state prison into the community who meet the conditional release criteria poses the greatest threat to the public safety of the groups of offenders under community supervision."

(d)

The city council of the City of South Daytona hereby finds and determines that repeat sexual offenders, sexual offenders who use physical violence and sexual offenders who prey on children are sexual predators who present an extreme threat to the public safety. Sexual offenders are extremely likely to use physical violence and to repeat their offenses, and most sexual offenders 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 sexual offender victimization to society at large, while incalculable, clearly exorbitant and a drain on the resources of society.

(e)

It is the intent of this article to serve the city's compelling interest to promote, protect and improve the health, safety, morals, and welfare of the citizens of the city by creating areas around locations where children regularly congregate in concentrated numbers wherein certain sexual predators are prohibited from establishing temporary or permanent residences.

(f)

It is the desire of the city council of the City of South Daytona that the Volusia County School district carefully adhere to the provisions of F.S. § 947.1405(7).

(Ord. No. 14-02, § 1, 2-25-14)