This proves, not all squirrels live in trees!2-22-2015 Wisconsin:
Sex offender residency ordinances enacted in communities throughout Kenosha County would be replaced by a statewide residency mandate under a bill being drafted by Rep. Joel Kleefisch, R-Oconomowoc.
"I am interested in the furthest possible distance away from potential victims while maintaining a feasible placement for sex offenders to be watched," Kleefisch said. "For too long, they have been watching our children. It is time we watch them back."
It is not the first time Kleefisch has brought the idea forward. Similar bills failed in 2005 and 2010. However, this time, Kleefisch has some bi-partisan support, including that of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.
Apart from ensuring the safety of "vulnerable citizens and children," Kleefisch said the goal of the bill is to make the residency requirement consistent throughout the state.
"What is happening is municipalities are racing to make rules that are more strict than their neighboring municipality," Kleefisch said. "It makes it confusing."
Kleefisch said he is not interested in existing ordinances being grandfathered.
"This would be a pre-emptive law so the residency rule is understood statewide," he said.
Varying rules
In Kenosha County, the distance a sex offender can live from a prohibited location, such as a school, day care, park or playground, ranges from 1,200 to 6,500 feet for offenders who are not placed under Department of Corrections guidelines.
"I can see a mandate that everyone must have an ordinance," Twin Lakes Police Chief Dale Racer said, adding he doesn't see how a blanket ordinance will work for all areas.
Twin Lakes has a 1,200-foot requirement for registered sex offenders. In a larger community, this may not be restrictive enough, he said.
"For us, the way the village is situated, if we went up to 2,000 feet, it would eliminate the entire village," Racer said. "We want to restrict it, obviously. But, we can't be overly restrictive.
Finding the right distance
Kleefisch said determining the standard distance is one of the biggest challenges. A distance that is too restricting could push registered sex offenders off the grid, which would defeat the purpose.
"We want to know where they are and what they are doing," Kleefisch said. "We are working with municipal leaders, law enforcement, prosecutors and the Department of Corrections to draft a specific distance."
2,500-foot radius
Seven of the 12 Kenosha County municipalities have ordinances with a 2,500-foot radius. In most cases, the radius rules also apply to the distance registered sex offenders can live from one another.
Paris has the most expansive radius, prohibiting sex offenders from living within 6,500 feet of a prohibited location, or from one another. Pleasant Prairie and Salem are at 2,000 feet. Bristol and Twin Lakes are at 1,500 and 1,200 feet, respectively.
Ordinances throughout Kenosha County also generally allow registered offenders to live within a closer radius to prohibited locations if they are placed under DOC guidelines. In this case, 500 feet is typical.
Paddock Lake Administrator Tim Popanda said when he heard a statewide restriction of 2,000 feet might be considered, he immediately looked to see if the village would be affected.
"The 500-foot difference would not change anything here," Popanda said. "(Registered sex offenders) can live in the same three areas whether it is 2,500 or 2,000."
Kleefisch said he hopes to have the bill drafted by April.
Sex offender restrictions
All municipalities in Kenosha County have ordinances that restrict where sex offenders can reside.
Ordinances vary widely and include some exceptions. However, all include a prohibited distance from schools, parks, trails, playgrounds and other places where children are known to congregate.
Radius restrictions in Kenosha County:
— Kenosha: 2,500 feet if not placed in compliance with Department of Corrections guidelines; 500 feet if placed in compliance with DOC guidelines; not within a six-block radius of another registered sex offender.
— Bristol: 1,500 feet from prohibited location.
— Paddock Lake: 2,500 feet from prohibited location if not placed in compliance with Department of Corrections guidelines; 500 feet if placed in compliance with DOC guidelines; 2,500 feet from another registered sex offender.
— Pleasant Prairie: 2,000 feet from prohibited location.
— Silver Lake: 2,500 feet from prohibited location if not placed in compliance with Department of Corrections guidelines; 500 feet if placed under DOC guidelines; 2,500 feet from another registered sex offender.
— Twin Lakes: 1,200 feet from prohibited location; not permitted at all if offender was not domiciled in Twin Lakes prior to conviction.
— Brighton: 2,500 feet from prohibited location if not placed in compliance with Department of Corrections guidelines; 500 feet if placed under DOC guidelines; 2,500 feet from another registered sex offender.
— Paris: 6,500 feet from prohibited location if not placed in compliance with Department of Corrections guidelines; 500 feet if placed in compliance under DOC guidelines; 6,500 feet from another registered sex offender.
— Randall: 2,500 feet from prohibited location.
— Salem: 2,000 feet from prohibited location; not permitted at all if convicted of a violent crime against children unless the offender was domiciled in Salem prior to the conviction.
— Somers: 2,500 feet from prohibited location if not placed in compliance with Department of Corrections guidelines; 500 feet if placed under DOC guidelines; 2,500 feet from another registered sex offender.
— Wheatland: 2,500 feet from prohibited location if not placed in compliance with Wisconsin Department of Corrections guidelines; 500 feet if placed under DOC guidelines; 2,500 feet from another registered sex offender.. ..Source.. by JILL TATGE-ROZELL
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