Are 55+ communities safe havens for sex offenders

Century Village East in Deerfield Beach, like many retirement communities across South Florida, was designed to offer a peaceful, childfree environment for residents aged 55 and older. These gated communities are often marketed as quiet and secure—a sanctuary for retirees.

Yet the exclusion of any child-related amenities raises a difficult and unsettling question: Are registered sex offenders and predators drawn here precisely because they contain no playgrounds, daycares, schools, or facilities that would place them within restricted zones?

Florida law prohibits sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of many childrelated locations, and a growing body of research suggests this forces them into areas without children, potentially including retirement communities.

According to information from the Nationwide Insurance Company Risk Management division, “these communities also face unique challenges and risks, particularly regarding the safety and well-being of their residents. One significant risk is the possibility of admitting residents who are registered sex offenders without being aware of their criminal history or notifying other residents and staff.”

There are currently three people on sexual offender and predator databases that are listed as living in Century Village East, with a fourth just on the other side of the fence along Tilford Drive.

This is more than Kings Point in Delray Beach, which has two registered sex offenders, and Century Village in Pembroke Pines which also has two.  Wynmoor in Coconut Creek has three individuals.  But the local leader by far is Century Village in Boca Raton where six registered sex offenders or predators are living, according to various government databases.

One factor that makes large gated 55-plus retirement communities more accessible to registered sex offenders and sexual predators is their physical and legal separation from the broader neighborhood. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities located in open areas of a city or suburb are far more likely to fall within 1,000 feet of a school, park, playground, daycare, or other child-related location—any one of which would make it illegal for a registered offender to reside there under Florida law.

As a result, many care facilities must automatically reject applicants who are on the registry, regardless of age or medical need. In contrast, large, self-contained gated communities like Century Village East, Wynmoor, and Kings Point span hundreds of acres with no schools or child-related amenities inside their boundaries. This geographic insulation often puts the entire development outside the legal exclusion zones, making it easier for a registered offender to find a unit for rent or purchase without violating the state’s residency restrictions.

A study in the American Journal of Criminal Justice found that residency restrictions do not randomly displace offenders, but rather drive them toward areas with fewer children, less social oversight, and fewer legal barriers.” Journalist’s Resource summarized that residency laws are pushing registered offenders into “childfree zones,” warning that such regulations may inadvertently undercut public safety by consolidating offenders in enclaves lacking community supervision.

These findings are prompting closer consideration of whether large retirement developments such as Century Village East, Century Village in Boca Raton, Wynmoor in Coconut Creek, and Kings Point in Delray Beach are quietly drawing individuals barred from other housing options. 

Each of these communities contains no playgrounds or schools, excludes children from residency, and limits access through gated security. While there is no publicly available data confirming a pattern of offenders moving in, the legal framework suggests these communities may be among the few suitable residences left for anyone restricted from living near children.

Responsibility for screening prospective residents lies entirely with the board of directors of each condominium building and their property management company. These entities must approve rental or purchase applications and ensure applicants meet community and legal standards, which ideally includes a criminal background check.

Yet not all boards require such criminal screenings; some focus only on financial qualifications. A Broward County property management official (who asked to remain anonymous) noted that “if a building does not have a robust screening process or skips background checks, it creates a risk not just for that building, but for the wider community.” Because each building operates independently, screening standards can vary widely, even within the same gated development.

While Florida law does not classify registered sex offenders as a protected class under fair housing provisions, boards must still ensure that any restrictions—such as banning anyone on the registry—are applied fairly, consistently, and with proper legal guidance. Blanket bans may face legal challenges unless grounded in enforceable criteria like documented criminal history, with clear, written policies.