By Shelby Lindrud
The West Central Tribune
WILLMAR, Minn. — The Willmar City Council will take up a potential ordinance that will restrict where Level 3 sex offenders — those deemed most likely to reoffend — can live within the city, and also where those offenders who committed a sex crime against someone 16 years of age or under may live.
The ordinance was tabled last month and Council member Tim Johnson requested at Thursday’s Community Development Committee meeting for the ordinance to be brought back.
The current draft of the ordinance says those designated offenders would be prohibited from living within 1,000 feet of a school, licensed daycare center, park, public playground or place of worship. Designated offenders would also be unable to live within 1,000 feet of each other or take part in holiday events where children not related to them could be in attendance.
Ron Davis, who spoke during the open forum portion of Thursday’s meeting, said the city needs to act on the ordinance.
“You owe a quality of life to the people who live here,” Davis said.
Council member Audrey Nelsen requested a map showing the 1,000-foot restriction zone be available tonight at the City Council meeting as well as information about what other cities have done.
“It is all about discrimination. It is a real sad fact that fear is the motivator,” said Pastor Michael Laidlaw, Overcomers International Fellowship, which provides group housing to single men in need, including sex offenders.
The Department of Corrections does not place sex offenders anywhere, they only approve residences.
“Offenders are responsible for securing their own housing. Offenders usually choose places where jobs and housing are available to them or where they have familial or historical ties,” said Sarah Latuseck, director of communications and media relations for the state Department of Corrections.
The Willmar ordinance would allow the designated offenders to live within the restricted zones if they were living there prior to the ordinance going into effect; were a minor when the crime was committed and were not tried as an adult; is a minor; or if the primary residence is also the home of the individual’s parents, grandparents, siblings, spouse or children.
Designated offenders can also continue to live within a restricted zone if a school or licensed daycare center opens in the neighborhood after the offender moved in.
If a designated offender violates the ordinance, the person can be found guilty of a misdemeanor. Each day a designated offender is in violation of the ordinance would be a separate violation.
At tonight’s meeting, the council can decide whether they will go forward with the recommendation of the Community Development Committee to consider the ordinance. A hearing would be held at a future council meeting to gather public comment about the ordinance. If the council then approves the ordinance following that hearing, the city will need to publish it once more before it goes into effect, said Bruce Peterson, Willmar director of planning and development services.
Copyright 2016 West Central Tribune