Homeless sex offenders may have to wear GPS devices
Columbus -- Homeless sex offenders would be required to wear global positioning devices to track their whereabouts, under legislation being considered in the Ohio House.Rep. Clayton Luckie, a Democrat from the Dayton area, offered House Bill 369 after two women in his district were attacked by the same homeless sex offender.
"There are predators out there that prey on women and children in our society, putting not just the public but our families in danger," Luckie told members of the House's Criminal Justice Committee Dec. 9. "... Are there better ways to track and monitor people convicted of major sexual crimes but do not have a permanent address? I believe there is a better way."
Tier III sex offenders -- category includes those guilty of rape and crimes against children -- already are required to register their addresses with law enforcement every 90 days.
But of the 5,586 sex offenders currently being monitored by the state, close to 500 are homeless, Luckie said.
Under his bill, those who do not have home addresses would be required to be monitored via a GPS device until they have a fixed residence.
"I believe this law is necessary to monitor those who are deemed most dangerous," Luckie said. "No one can foresee who will commit a crime and when they will do it.
"However, we can take steps to help deter criminal behavior."
