Cops target sex offenders

22 suspects arrested in operation to find out who’s living in off-limits areas

Some sex offenders have been living illegally in off-limit areas of Fort Lauderdale. But Operation Here Not There has swept up 22 suspects in six weeks, authorities said Tuesday.

The city prohibits sex offenders from living within 1,400 feet of a school, school bus stop or park.

The arrests were announced by Fort Lauderdale Police, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Some suspects were found in nearby cities like Lauderhill, Pompano Beach and Oakland Park, and two were found in New York and Colorado.

out-of-state suspects face federal charges for crossing state lines without notifying authorities.

Data from the Florida Council on Homelessness, shows that in 2011 Broward County had 103 transient sex offenders.

In 2017, the number jumped to nearly 400 in Broward County, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

In 2014, the Florida Legislature created a law focused on transient sex offenders or offenders who are homeless or don’t have a permanent address. It requires them to register their address with the local sheriff ’s office, whether it be an intersection or some other area, every 30 days. Those who don’t face a third-degree felony.

U.S. Marshals Service spokesman Barry Golden wants other agencies across the state to take note of what Fort Lauderdale Police are doing in their crackdown on tranBoth