Florida sheriff warns sex offenders not to show up at shelters during Hurricane Irma; offers room at county jail instead

Are you wanted for a crime in Florida? Turn yourself in now for free shelter! A Florida sheriff’s office will gladly provide a room (AKA cell) for suspects who need a place to stay during Hurricane Irma at the county jail.

Earlier this week, Florida Governor Rick Scott warned that Hurricane Irma could likely be the most devastating tropical storm to hit the state in over a decade. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd followed the announcement with a series of tweets, offering safe shelter to those wanted for crimes.

The sheriff also indicated that identification would be checked for anyone trying to enter local shelters. Anyone with active warrants will be sent to the jail. Sex offenders will be refused entrance at the door, according to Business Insider.

“Sex offenders/predators will not be allowed. We cannot and we will not have innocent children in a shelter with sexual offenders & predators. Period.”

Although the tweets seem humorous, spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, Carrie Horstman, said that they hope the offer persuades people wanted for crimes to turn themselves in.

Polk County is a landlocked area between Orlando and Tampa, but the sheriff’s office tweeted that the county’s location does not guarantee safety from Hurricane Irma. The county of around 600,000 was “hit hard” by three previous hurricanes.

[Feature Photo: Pixabay]