Jacksonville city leaders adjust language of sex offender law

The Jacksonville City Council on Tuesday approved changes in the language of the law that addresses where sex offenders and predators can go and the decorations that they display.

An attorney for the city said the change in the law is in response to a settlement in court after a sex offender challenged the city’s law several years ago because he argued it was too ambiguous.

Attorney Jason Teal said the adjustments will not change the law itself but it will make it easier for police to enforce.

The law restricts sex offenders from attending events that are primarily targeted toward children who are unrelated to the sex offenders.

It also bans sex offenders from displaying decorations that are primarily targeted to attract children.

A check of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement sex-offender registry shows there are more than 2,000 registered sex offenders living in Jacksonville.

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