9 Investigates local sexual predator clusters

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The push to limit where sex offenders can live is forcing dozens of them to all live within blocks of each other across Florida.

But there is an even more troubling side effect.

Investigative reporter Christopher Heath discovered that in three Central Florida neighborhoods, there’s not just a cluster of sex offenders – there’s a cluster of sexual predators.

Heath found out how some local neighborhoods became homes for the highest percentages of sex predators in the state.

Watch this story Tuesday on Eyewitness News at 5:30 p.m. 

The push to limit where sex offenders can live is forcing dozens of offenders to all live within blocks of each other.

Channel 9's investigative reporter Christopher Heath uncovered in three Central Florida neighborhoods, it's not just a cluster of sex offenders, there's a cluster of sexual predators.

In the MetroWest neighborhood, near Kirkman and Old Winter Garden roads, It’s home to almost 80 sex offenders.

One in four is a sexual predator; someone convicted of a sexually violent offense

"You are starting to see these offenders cluster around areas where it is permissible for them to live,” said Dr. Stephen Homes, professor UCF Criminal Justice.

The "clustering effect" that Homes describes is a result of local and state laws restricting residency.

9 Investigates examined the largest clusters in Central Florida and found three with a higher percentage of sexual predators than any other place in the state.

The town of Bithlo, one in five are sexual predators. The town of Christmas has one in four predators and near SR 408 and the Turnpike, there are also one in four sexual predators.

"I don't think a lot of communities know there is such a high concentration of these individuals in their neighborhoods,” Homes said.

Gail Colletta is with the Florida Action Committee and a sexual assault survivor. Her son is also a registered sex offender.

Colletta said the laws that create clusters don't stop repeat offenders.

"It's not about what you did, but who you are that make you a risk to public safety,” Colletta said.

9 Investigates discovered there is a large number of sex offenders who have moved to Florida from other states.

Since 2005, the sex offender population in Florida has increased 28 percent. At the same time, cities have moved to beef up exclusion zones, sending sex offenders and sexual predators to cluster in even more densely packed areas.

Read more about sex offenders moving to Central Florida here.

9 Investigates central Florida sex offender population

Cox Media Group