Star Prairie continues discussion of sex offender restrictions

Talk about it

The Village of Star Prairie Board is still considering an ordinance that could ban sex offenders from living within village limits.

It’s not that the ordinance would ban past offenders from living in the village, but they would be banned from living within a certain distance of public schools, parks, trails, etc. and, depending on the distance, those restrictions could eliminate all residences within the village.

At the board’s regular meeting on Jan. 4, Village Attorney Tim Scott distributed Hudson’s ordinance, which bans sex offenders from living within 200 feet of facilities for children (i.e. day cares, various youth centers, schools, etc.).

“Hudson’s ordinance lists parks and other public spaces but also lists specific buildings,” he said. “It also lists exemptions like if someone wants to go to church they can get permission – (Hudson’s ordinance) is a good starting point.”

At the December meeting, Trustee Bruce Johnson, who was absent from the January meeting, voiced his desire to restrict sex offenders from living within 1,500 feet of child safety zones.

When Scott pointed out that Johnson’s suggestion would likely eliminate the entire village, Johnson replied, “I’m not going to worry about the next town.”

“I would prefer they not go that route,” Scott said of the desire to ban sex offenders from the area.

The matter was tabled so that board members had time to read through and consider Hudson’s ordinance.

The City of New Richmond’s current ordinance, adopted in March 2010, also bans sex offenders from living within 200 feet of a child safety zone.

Tags: star prairie, local government, communities, wisconsin