Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


17

Abuse Victim Fights for Homeless Sex Offenders

Woman, father were behind ordinances that forced abusers under bridge

Share

(Newser) – The homeless sex offenders who live under Miami’s infamous Julia Tuttle Causeway aren't quick to thank two of their most diligent advocates for working on their behalf. “They know who we are, and don’t like us very much,” says Lauren Book-Lim. Book-Lim was sexually abused by her nanny from age 11 through age 17, and her lobbyist father, Ron Book, helped push through the ordinances that forced many of these men from their homes.

The sex offenders, shunned and forbidden to live within 2,500 feet of a school or playground, have formed a community under the bridge. Now Book-Lim and her father are working to find legal homes for them. “Yes, they are sex offenders,” she says, “but that doesn’t mean they have to live like this.” Besides, she says, the work benefits children; desperate offenders are more likely to strike again.

The makeshift camp sex offenders call home under the Julia Tuttle Causeway in Miami on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008.
The makeshift camp sex offenders call home under the Julia Tuttle Causeway in Miami on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008.   (AP Photo/David Adame)
A homeless person walks to a tent under the Julia Tuttle Causeway in Miami, Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
A homeless person walks to a tent under the Julia Tuttle Causeway in Miami, Wednesday, July 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
An elderly sex offender relaxes outside his tent at the makeshift camp he and other offenders call home under the Julia Tuttle Causeway in Miami, Feb. 5, 2008.
An elderly sex offender relaxes outside his tent at the makeshift camp he and other offenders call home under the Julia Tuttle Causeway in Miami, Feb. 5, 2008.   (AP Photo/David Adame)
Sex offender Juan Carlos Martin spends time at the makeshift camp he and other offenders call home under the Julia Tuttle Causeway in Miami Tuesday Feb. 5, 2008.
Sex offender Juan Carlos Martin spends time at the makeshift camp he and other offenders call home under the Julia Tuttle Causeway in Miami Tuesday Feb. 5, 2008.   (AP Photo/David Adame)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

I grew up to trying to help others. My Dad used to say, the least, the last and forgotten of our society — it's our job to take care of them. - Lauren Book-Lim

Now she is under the bridge with sex offenders. She could never do that before. She couldn't even leave the house. I am amazed at how much progress she has made. - Stephen Lim, Lauren's husband

I wouldn't consider myself advocating for them. These people harmed children, and I don't think they can dictate where they get to live. - Lauren Book-Lim

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
17 comments
VIEWING:
 
Jayster999
Oct 12, 09 1:56 PM CDT
Y'know, hearing about people living under a bridge normally tugs at the heartstrings, but these guys are sexual predators who molest children. In my own humble opinion, they don't deserve a whole lot better. Having them live under a bridge like trolls isn't going to work, so some kind of halfway house--far away from kids (maybe a dilapidated warehouse?) is probably the answer Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-1
IN RESPONSE:
freethemall
Oct 12, 09 2:41 PM CDT
Well said, cityeyes. I for one, don't consider you a sympathizer of child molesters, though fear of being so labeled, deters many from pointing out the absurdities of some of our sex laws.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
Yourself
Oct 12, 09 3:34 PM CDT
wow jayster, aren't you just the conciderate a-hole of the day. "a dilapidated warehouse" isn't the solution either, don't you understand the FACTS that show that a desperate offender is more likely to repeat his offence then one who has some sort of chance at a new life. They wind up doing it cause they'll most likely get sent to jail, knowing that jail is a better form of life then living under a highway, or god forbid in a "dilapidated warehouse" as you suggest. You're ignorance is wearing thin with people around here, me included.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
shonangreg
Oct 12, 09 4:51 PM CDT
Yes, you're all right, but sex offenders are no longer limited to what is anything like reasonable. You've read the stories -- teens send nude photos to each other: sex offenders; teen has sex with another teen: sex offender (I'm thinking of the black boy in Georgia from a year or two ago, don't remember more specifics...); grab a girl's breast while robbing a bank: sex offender. The law needs consistent, minimalist application to have the best usefulness. What the US has now is crazy.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
Jayster999
Oct 12, 09 5:04 PM CDT
Yerself: I suggested an unused warehouse as a possibility, not an ideal solution. It seems that if the municipality had the funds they would be dealing with the situation in a more acceptable manner. My offhand option of "warehousing" them beats them living under a f-ing bridge doesn't it? It would mean shelter and supervision, an improvement over the current situation, no? It took me approximately two seconds to come up with a solution that has eluded the local government. Y'know, if people like you were smart enough to put someone like me in charge, things would change for the better in a big hurry.
Vote up! Vote down!
0

View all 17 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

9 Stories

 Chef Brings 
 Gourmet Food 
 to Homeless 

Rising culinary star left posh restaurant for rescue mission

Aug 18, 09 12:40 PM CDT
(Newser) - At California’s Bay Area Rescue Mission, the homeless dine on grilled artichokes with garlic sherry vinaigrette or vegetable soup with creme fraiche, thanks to the culinary talents of Tim Hammack. The chef left a renowned French bistro to cook at the rescue mission. “I was cooking for very... More »

MORE ABOUT:
food • chef • homeless • soup kitchen • homeless shelter • rescue mission • Jay-ZTV

 Cities Prop Up 
 Homeless Camps 

Squeezed shelters, recession prompt local government tolerance

Aug 11, 09 11:19 AM CDT
(Newser) - With room tight in homeless shelters, municipalities across the US are allowing tent cities to stand—after years spent breaking up homeless clusters, the Wall Street Journal reports. In some areas, the encampments are even supplied with basic services like portable toilets and medical care. “There is no place... More »

MORE ABOUT:
homeless • tent city • financial crisis • homeless encampment • homeless shelter • recession depression

(Newser) - A surge in vicious, unprovoked assaults on homeless people has put weight behind efforts to reclassify such attacks as hate crimes, the New York Times reports. Attacks have risen as more people have been pushed onto the streets by the recession, and researchers say the assailants are generally men or,... More »

MORE ABOUT:
murder • hate crime • recession • homeless • assault • homeless encampment

9 Stories


Crime & Courts  •  US 
TwitterFollow @NewserCrime on Twitter

 
Miami • sex offenders • homeless • homeless encampment • pedophilia • homeless shelter • Lauren Book-Lim • Ron Book • Julia Tuttle Causeway

from our news partners