In the wake of 21 arrests in a sexual predator operation, Gainesville residents may be wondering how they can keep an eye out for danger.
Cpl. Angelina Valuri, Gainesville Police Department spokeswoman, said anyone can search the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website at offender.fdle.state.fl.us for registered predators or offenders.
Even if the offender or predator has two homes, he or she must register in both locations.
If you suspect a registered sex offender is living in your neighborhood but hasn't registered locally, you should contact local law enforcement, Valuri said.
Gainesville rules state that people who have committed a sexual crime against a child under 16 years of age can't live within 2,500 feet of a school, daycare or park.
GPD's website features a Gainesville map showing the 2,500-foot buffer zones for schools, daycares and parks.
Visitors can also download a list of local transient sexual predators and offenders who have no known permanent address as of Nov. 7.
Jennifer Klein, a UF doctoral student who teaches a course called Sex Offenders that discusses child pornography and pedophilia, said it's important to make the distinction between offenders and predators.
The FDLE website provides detailed definitions to help visitors distinguish between the two.
Predators are worse than offenders because they have been convicted of a capital, life or first- degree felony, Klein said. Predators have hurt small children, are violent and are a greater danger than offenders.
"An 18-year-old man who had sex with his 16-year-old girlfriend, if convicted of statutory rape, is considered a sexual offender," she said. "You may not need to fear this person like you would a sexual predator."
