The City of Milwaukee may dramatically loosen its residency restrictions for sex offenders.
The city’s current ordinance bans many sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of places like schools, parks, and day care centers. A measure set to be considered Monday by the Common Council would reduce that “buffer” to 500 feet. Full Article
What a bunch of morons. First, changing an illegal 2000′ restriction to an illegal 500′ restriction is still an illegal restriction. Second, what happened to needing it for public safety? I guess all the sudden that extra 1500′ isn’t needed? Oh wait, it’s about dodging a lawsuit. In other words, citizens of Milwaukee, your “leaders” are more worried about money than your children! (Assuming the restrictions actually help kids, of course.) Third, “these people” are, gasp!, people! Just like anyone else who has paid their debt to society for their offense, they deserve restoration of constitutional rights. Fourth, what sort of sex-offender issues has the city suffered in those “sex offender hot spots”? Other than people not liking “these people” living near them, I’m guessing none, or at least no more than places with few or zero restrictions. Like I said, what a bunch of morons.
From Wisconsin; I am watching changes both forward and backward in other states. In Wisconsin we seem to be close to a turning point in some areas. We see a win with residency restrictions here, as well as loses in other areas in the state. We have lifetime GPS for some. Civil commitment. The difference in our recent success (as I see it) is the Illinois lawyers who have begun to fight on our behalf. California is getting solid positive traction which benefits all. I wish we had a collective national effort to organize these fights in all states. Another city in Wisconsin just passed positive changes to our distance restriction. (1500 to 500) The legislation also quotes legislation from Smith & Doe and other state’s legislative actions.
http://www.newberlin.org/documentcenter/view/6808
They also formed a board of review for allowing “offenders” into the 500 ft residency zone. I assume to deflect a potential lawsuit. I’ve only seen positive change when a municipality is rocked back onto it’s heels. The popular opinion is not changing enough due to politics and media. We are the cash cow for these entities.
With 800,000 strong we are also a potential cash cow for the organization which goes national with fights in 50 states. (guess 49 since California is doing nicely).