Two days ago, Sheriff Grady Judd tweeted no sex offenders will be allowed in Polk County's shelters.
However, in Pasco County there is a designated shelter for sex offenders. The shelter is also open to families.
- Wiregrass High School will allow sex offenders, but in separate room
- Sex crime detective will watch them 24-7
- Parents concerned but feel protected by deputies
Fourteen shelters have opened throughout Pasco County. In Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass High School has opened up for families, pets, and sex offenders. That does have some families concerned.
"In general for any kids, we don't want anything to happen to anyone, I'm a retired police officer from New York, so I don't play," said Kelli Cooper, who is staying at the shelter with her family.
The sheriff's office says it didn’t have room at its overpopulated jail to house the sex offenders, so it decided to allow them at the school. But it said the families will be safe.
"This area is far away from the public shelter, on the other end of the school campus, so we can balance the security of the general public with the need to provide services to the sex offenders," said Detective Scott Anderson.
The sex offenders will be housed in a room with a sex crime detective watching 24/7.
"I don't like them, but we are protected here," said Debjani Ray, who is staying with her family at the shelter.
"It's definitely more comforting," Anderson said.
Families of sex offenders are also allowed. However, they cannot be in the same room.