Sex offender law changes in Jacksonville

Updated: May 11, 2016 - 12:19 PM

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. —

Changes to a sex offender law in Jacksonville is making it easier for police to protect children.

Jacksonville City Council voted Tuesday night to approve changes that ban sex offenders and predators from displaying decorations outside their homes that could attract children.

The changes will affect more than 2,000 registered sex offenders living in Jacksonville.

One includes decorations, which by law offenders are not prohibited from decorating their homes. It is up to the city to have ordinances in place to prohibit decorating.

The changes were made after a sex offender challenged the city’s law years ago and the language in the laws were rewritten.

Registered offenders are restricted from events that are targeted to children who have no relationship to the offender. They are also prohibited from displaying any decorations that are aimed at children

A grandmother said she stays up to date on what changes are made when it comes to sex offenders

“When you have neighborhood that’s close knit and watches out for each other, and that’s the best thing you can do keep your kids safe,” Sherry Shaw said.