De Pere May Drop Sex Offender Ordinance
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The current ordinance restricts sex offenders from living within 500-feet of schools, parks and other places where children gather. But if it's dropped, sex offenders could live wherever they want. Video by nbc26.com
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DE PERE, Wis.-- The De Pere Common Council may drop an ordinance Tuesday night that dictates where sex offenders can live in the city.
The current ordinance restricts sex offenders from living within 500-feet of schools, parks and other places where children gather. But if it's dropped, sex offenders could live wherever they want.
"I would hope they consider the children themselves so they're not scared and afraid," Louis Cyganek said, who's granddaughter will be visiting him at his De Pere home this summer.
De Pere's police chief says he's been opposed to having an ordinance since it was adopted three years ago because he tells us many offenders are using false addresses.
"The safety of the community is at risk by doing that," Chief Derek Beiderwieden said.
Even if the ordinance is dropped, City Administrator Larry Delo says the council will always provide the chief with a sex offender advisory board.
"If the state decides to locate a sex offender in De Pere, we're required to do a notification to the community," Delo said.
The city also has a loitering ordinance that prohibits sex offenders from standing within 200-feet of parks and schools. That ordinance will not change with the council's vote.
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