Sharonville residents who are registered sex offenders may soon be banned from membership to the city’s recreation facilities.
City Council is considering adopting a codified ordinance that would also rescind membership of those already issued.
Law Director Tom Keating said the ordinance is directed at Sharonville residents who are required to register as sex offenders with the Ohio Attorney General’s office. Membership is granted only to residents of the city.
According to the Ohio Attorney General’s website, two Sharonville residents are registered as sex offenders.
The ordinance also addresses the protection of children.
“The Council has determined that there is a strong public purpose to protect schools, parks, playgrounds, youth centers and other places primarily utilized by people under the age of 19 from Ohio registered sex offenders,” Ordinance 2014-13 reads. “The Council has determined that the Sharonville recreation facilities, as accessed by membership passes should include a safe, clean environment protected from convicted sex offenders who potentially lack the ability to control their behavior.”
The ordinance also specifies that violation would be considered a fourth-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail.
How would the recreation department staff know whether a member or applicant is a sex offender?
Safety Service Director Jim Lukas said the Community Center would have access to records through a link to the Ohio Attorney General’s office.
In addition, the membership form will ask whether the applicant is a registered sex offender.
“It will say, ‘if you are, you can’t be a member,’” Keating said.
“But we do not have a problem in Sharonville,” Keating said, “so we’re not trying to solve a problem.
“We’re trying to get ahead of it and make sure it won’t become a problem.”
City Council will vote on the ordinance at its April 8 meeting, after a second reading at the March 25 meeting. ..Source.. by Kelly McBride
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