Original Article04/26/2013By Heather AsiyanbiNeighboring communities like Racine and Caledonia have ordinances governing where sex offenders can live. Sturtevant trustees are looking into having one as well.
Sturtevant trustees are looking into whether or not they should adopt an ordinance governing where sex offenders can live.
Trustee Chris Larsen said Tuesday during the Continual Committee meeting that he got the idea after learning about a similar ordinance in Caledonia and reading in The Journal Times about the efforts to pass one in the City of Racine.
"I just want to make sure that Sturtevant doesn't become the dumping ground for sex offenders in eastern Racine County," he said. "I'd like feedback on whether or not I should continue researching."
The ordinance Larsen is proposing would only apply to offenders determined by a court to be sexually violent who are released under the state's 980 commitment petition. That statute allows the state at the end of a convicted offender's prison sentence to petition the court to commit the offender to the Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center in Mauston, WI.
Sturtevant Chief Sean Marschke cautioned trustees to be sure the state would have to comply with local ordinance.
"If the state doesn't have to comply with our ordianances with these cases, then it's not worth pursuing," he said.
Patch contacted the Department of Human Services to find out if the state does have to comply with local ordinances.
"Yes, the state does," wrote Claire Smith in an email response to our note.
In Caledonia, the following rules apply for violent offenders released under the state's 980 petition:At least 1,000 feet from a school, church, park, athletic field, trail, playground, conservation district, or H.F. Johnson Park (which is managed by the city); and
At least six blocks away from other sex offenders.
For those not under supervised release but required to register with the Department of Corrections' sex offender registry, they must live:At least 2,500 feet away from schools, churches, parks, athletic fields, trails, playgrounds, conservation districts, or H.F. Johnson Park; and
At least six blocks away from other sex offenders.
- So does that make any sense? Those deemed dangerous (980's), must stay 1,000 feet away, while those less dangerous have to stay 2,500 feet away? It seems that should be the other way around, unless we are reading something wrong?
Village President Steve Jansen agreed Larsen should continue his research.
"I'd like to see some more research into whether or not this makes sense for us," he said.© 2006-2013 | Sex Offender Issues
Original Article04/26/2013By Heather AsiyanbiNeighboring communities like Racine and Caledonia have ordinances governing where sex offenders can live. Sturtevant trustees are looking into having one as well.
Sturtevant trustees are looking into whether or not they should adopt an ordinance governing where sex offenders can live.
Trustee Chris Larsen said Tuesday during the Continual Committee meeting that he got the idea after learning about a similar ordinance in Caledonia and reading in The Journal Times about the efforts to pass one in the City of Racine.
"I just want to make sure that Sturtevant doesn't become the dumping ground for sex offenders in eastern Racine County," he said. "I'd like feedback on whether or not I should continue researching."
The ordinance Larsen is proposing would only apply to offenders determined by a court to be sexually violent who are released under the state's 980 commitment petition. That statute allows the state at the end of a convicted offender's prison sentence to petition the court to commit the offender to the Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center in Mauston, WI.
Sturtevant Chief Sean Marschke cautioned trustees to be sure the state would have to comply with local ordinance.
"If the state doesn't have to comply with our ordianances with these cases, then it's not worth pursuing," he said.
Patch contacted the Department of Human Services to find out if the state does have to comply with local ordinances.
"Yes, the state does," wrote Claire Smith in an email response to our note.
In Caledonia, the following rules apply for violent offenders released under the state's 980 petition:At least 1,000 feet from a school, church, park, athletic field, trail, playground, conservation district, or H.F. Johnson Park (which is managed by the city); and
At least six blocks away from other sex offenders.
For those not under supervised release but required to register with the Department of Corrections' sex offender registry, they must live:At least 2,500 feet away from schools, churches, parks, athletic fields, trails, playgrounds, conservation districts, or H.F. Johnson Park; and
At least six blocks away from other sex offenders.
- So does that make any sense? Those deemed dangerous (980's), must stay 1,000 feet away, while those less dangerous have to stay 2,500 feet away? It seems that should be the other way around, unless we are reading something wrong?
Village President Steve Jansen agreed Larsen should continue his research.
"I'd like to see some more research into whether or not this makes sense for us," he said.© 2006-2013 | Sex Offender Issues