Despite a series of residency exemption requests by sex offenders over the last several years, rural town and village officials believe they have ordinances in place to both protect the public and provide areas for offenders to live.
Towns and villages west of I-94 in Kenosha County amended their ordinances after rules in Pleasant Prairie were deemed by a court to be too restrictive.
They create “safety zones” around areas where children congregate, such as parks, schools, and churches.
“We feel that our in place Register Sex Offender ordinance provides protections for residents with children while not being so restrictive as to eliminate areas of the Village for (offenders) to reside,” Paddock Lake Village Administrator Tim Popanda said.
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“It is just hard to find a place to live,” ____ said.
The location is in violation of town ordinance because it is within 5,500 feet of two other sex offenders. Town ordinances also prohibit sex offenders from living within 6,500 feet of locations where children are known to congregate.
Such a misleading headline. Sure, they can request an exemption. But it is clear that they are not being given. This is why I fear I’ll be stuck living in my current house for the rest of my life – there is not really any place for me to go…