August 4, 2013

Sex-offender legislation is proposed

As usual, a proposed law for which there are no stats showing it was ever a problem. False beliefs to further political ladder climbing.
8-4-2013 Ohio:

Changes being discussed for current Marion law

City council’s legislation, codes and regulations committee has been discussing a proposed change to Marion’s sex-offender laws that is similar to laws several other cities have.

Josh Daniels, D-at large, is proposing legislation to keep offenders of all types away from places children might congregate.

Currently, sex offenders cannot live within 1,000 feet of schools or daycares. The proposed legislation would prohibit sex offenders from living 1,500 feet from schools, daycares, the YMCA or YWCA, the Boys and Girls Club, libraries, city-operated recreational facilities, and other “parks and areas known for the congregation of children.”

It also would prohibit offenders from entering public parks or other recreation facilities.

The city of Lyndhurst has a similar law on its books: registered offenders are not allowed to enter parks, playgrounds or recreational facilities unless they are there to attend a public meeting or vote at their assigned polling location. They also may not “enter or remain” at a school bus stop where school children are present. The Lyndhurst code includes recreational facilities as places where sex offenders cannot loiter.

In Canal Winchester, sex offenders cannot live within 1,500 feet of “any public or private school premise, licensed daycare facility, pre-school, private or public park or playground, library, or public swimming pool located within the Village.” The Village Solicitor has a cause of action for injunctive relief against the person (eviction). Lorain has a very similar ordinance in its books.

Cincinnati keeps the prohibited distance of 1,000 feet, but dictates sex offenders also cannot live near YMCA or YWCA facilities, Boys and Girls Clubs or any public recreational center or swimming pool owned or operated by the city or its boards or commissions.

Several Ohio cities have stricter regulations.

The law that prohibits sex offenders from living 1,000 feet from a school took effect July 31, 2003. Offenders who are juveniles do not have residency restrictions.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office keeps track of sex offenders once they get out of jail. Deputy Larry Yoder is in charge of registry, and said he and other deputies check in on the offenders several times a year to make sure they live at the address they gave the sheriff’s office.

If a sex offender moves too close to a school, Yoder said, he will find out when he enters the person’s address into the office database. He and Sheriff Tim Bailey said it can take weeks, or months, to get through all the civil paperwork when evicting someone.

Yoder said offenders who just got out of prison are most likely to move into a restricted area, as they may not be familiar with the laws. ..continued.. by Michelle Rotuno-Johnson

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