THE CITY REBORN FROM THE ASHES OF AMERICA'S MOST DISASTROUS FOREST FIRE
City Law Stops Sex Offender From Renting
A City of Peshtigo ordinance on sexual offender residency has stopped a sex offender from renting a home near a city playground on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
The 52 year old man had been convicted of accosting children for immoral purposes in Michigan and is required to register as a sex offender in Wisconsin. According to the Sex Offender Registry he had listed a Peshtigo address on Oct. 8 but it was not verified. A citizen noticed the rental location on the Sex Offender Registry and local authorities had not been notified a sex offender was to move to Peshtigo.
Informed of the sex offender living in Peshtigo, Police Chief Tom Hartwig visited the landlord and was informed the offender had put down a payment to rent the house but was not living there.
The landlord was informed of the city ordinance on sexual offender residency restrictions. As a result, the offender will not be able to rent the house.
The city ordinance was adopted July 1, 2008. One section prevents property owners from renting to certain sexual offenders and sexual predators if the residence is in certain locations. A violation can result in a fine for the property owner.
The ordinance prevents sex offenders from living within 1,500 feet of any school, licensed day care center, park, trail, playground, place of worship or any other place designated by the city as a place where children are known to congregate.
In addition, the ordinance prohibits a sex offender from participating in a holiday event involving children under the age of 18, such as distributing candy or other items to children on Halloween, wearing a Santa Claus costume on or preceding Christmas, or wearing an Easter Bunny costume on or preceding Easter.
It also provides for the City Clerk to maintain an official map showing prohibited locations. The map is to be updated annually to reflect any changes in location of prohibited zones and designated as child safety zones.
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