What does a 300 foot buffer zone look like to you?
For St. Johns County, Florida, a child safety zone looks a little something like this:
"...County Commission adopted a Child Safety Zone ordinance prohibiting registered sexual offenders and predators from loitering or prowling within 300 feet of specified locations designed for or used by children."(jacksonville.com, 9/5/2009)
Such areas have been traditionally designated as schools, bus stops (when kids are present), parks, arcades, but believe me, the list can mean whatever an officer of the law could make it out to mean. I would say viewing the upcoming Jim Carrey "A Christmas Carol" could be considered a place where children are known to gather.
Leading me to my point.
I perceive loitering as bandying about an area with no specific purpose. In my opinion, utilizing a boat launch located in a public park or dropping your kid off at school is not loitering. Neither is attending a family reunion in a state park or utilizing a public library, all public facilities persons designated as RSO's support via payment of their tax dollars. (Well, those who are still working....)
Would 300 foot buffer zones permit the legal comings and goings of the above described facilities? Or could loitering become as ill-defined as the catch all phrase "where children gather"?
