Clay County cracking down on convicted sexual predators

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — An Action News Jax investigation led Clay County Commissioners to change its policies, adding new restrictions for sex offenders.

Click here to look up sex offenders in your area.

"Back in April, Action News did a story on a sexual predator that was living close to school and asked if there is anything counties could do," County Commissioner Gavin Rollins explained. "I started looking into it, and actually prompted a debate and discussion with our legal staff. We ended up drafting an ordinance to add some additional protections here in Clay County."

The new ordinance says convicted sex offenders cannot:

Participate in Halloween activities
Hang around bus stops or places kids congregate
Be within 2,000 feet of a school (it was previously 1,000 feet)

The 2,000-feet rule does not apply to those who currently live that close to a school. It only applies to new residents moving to the area.

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The ordinance will also update the registration process for convicted sexual predators.

"I mean, I didn't know that it wasn't in place before," Clay County mother Kayla Finch said. A few other moms who spoke with us said the same thing.

In Duval and St. Johns counties, they have specific rules about sex offenders, making it clear they cannot participate in Halloween activities — like handing out candy or even opening their door to greet kids.

On Tuesday night, Clay County officially joined them. The ordinance passed 5-0.

"If we could require sexual predators to be further from schools that's a win in my book," Rollins said.

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