SORRENTO, Fla.,None — A Tampa woman is planning to open a village within a Lake County town that would house sex offenders and predators--perhaps hundreds or thousands of them.
Barbara Farris said the town of Sorrento is a great place to relocate registered offenders because of its distance from the hustle and bustle of places like Orlando.
"[It's] far enough from civilization from where they're not around parks and kids," Farris said. "They're not going to be surrounded or have temptations."
Farris recently started a company called SOS, which is short for Sex Offender Solutions. It provides registered offenders with housing, transportation, jobs and counseling.
When asked if the idea of a town for sex offenders could actually happen, Farris said she thinks it could.
"It's absolutely realistic," Farris said. "We've joined on with some people making it very realistic for us."
But many people in Sorrento didn't agree.
"She might have a big fight on her hands if this happens," one resident said.
Gregg Welstead, Director of the Lake County Conservation and Compliance Department, said the county does not have any specific rules related to this.
But the county relies on and follows the guidelines set in state statute with regard to distances that sex offenders can live from schools, parks and playgrounds, he said in a statement.
He also said there could be zoning issues or density considerations that might require a public hearing.
Farris said she has plans to open other housing villages in South Florida and California.
"The goal is to prevent another abduction, death or abuse," she said.