TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL)--25 sex offenders including one predator are among the homeless residents who live at The Shelter in Tallahassee. It was troubling news to some residents who told me they weren't aware.
Brittany: "So its not a secret but they're welcome to find out on their own?
"Uhh hmm," Jacob Reiter nodded his head.
We brought the situation to light and now the acting director of the shelter, Jacob Reiter is responding.
"This is something that we're aware of we're concerned about it," said Reiter.
The concern comes just days after a former Shelter resident was accused of fondling a 2-year old boy.
Police say it happened behind the building. Reiter says the incident is unfortunate and he's stepping up security to make sure women, children, all residents are safe.
"We routinely patrol all areas of the facility, all areas of our property," said Reiter.
He's increased staffing around the clock to protect residents like Dacia Marcy who says she didn't even know sex offenders lived here and never had any problems.
"I call this place my safe haven and so far i haven't had any problem with anybody coming towards me with sexual conduct or mishap or anything like that," said Marcy. Reiter says staff members take photos of all residents and have identified all sex offenders.
He says the goal now is to make sure what happened never occurs again.
"There are some parents that are here with their children and they seem to be keeping a close watch on their kids," said Marcy.
The acting director of the shelter says they're now looking to move into a bigger facility to separate the women and children from men, which has been in the plans for months now.
