When visiting Miami Beach what many tourists don't know as they enjoy the scenic drive over the Julia Tuttle Causeway from Miami to Miami Beach, is that a colony of 70-80 convicted sex offenders have been living underneath the bridge for the last three years.  When I first heard the news, I found it shocking and appalling that there was nowhere else for these people to live.   Apparently not, as Miami-Dade County has a more stringent ordinance than the State that restricts convicted sex offenders from living within 2,500 feet of where children congregate -- that includes schools, parks, and day care facilities.  So the only place far away from these locations is the middle of Biscayne Bay.

What's even more mind boggling is that some residents have "Julia Tuttle Causeway" listed on their drivers licenses since the encampment  is a legal address within Miami-Dade County.  I'm surprised that many of these individuals haven't packed their bags and left Miami-Dade County to find a more suitable place to live, but since they are here, they deserve better living conditions.

According to the Miami Herald, in response to recent criticism, the county is currently exploring options to relocate the sex offenders to permanent housing.  With the amount of distressed properties in the Miami area, I find it unbelievable that the county has not found an apartment building or hotel to house these individuals as of yet.  I don't think this is that hard of a problem to solve.  All it takes is a little bit of money to purchase the property and the remaining logistics can be figured out along the way.  Let's hope the county figures this out, and soon......

For more information and pictures, visit the Miami Herald or Palm Beach Post.

Tags: biscayne bay, julia tuttle causeway, Miami Beach, miami dade county, sex offenders