ANALYSIS OFFERED RELATING TO IMPACT OF 2015 WISCONSIN ACT 156 ON SEX OFFENDER PLACEMENT IN THE VILLAGE OF PLEASANT PRAIRIE

On Monday, March 7, the Pleasant Prairie Village Board heard an analysis presented by Village Counsel related to how, recently enacted, 2015 Wisconsin Act 156 will impact the placement of sexually violent offenders in the Village of Pleasant Prairie.

In Wisconsin, convicted sex offenders are classified based on the details related to their crime. While the state operates a registration program for all convicted sex offenders, it maintains an additional program that relates directly to those classified as sexually violent (also referred to as Level 3).

Wisconsin Department of Correction officials have indicated that at this time (as of March 7, 2016), there are no Level 3 offenders residing in Kenosha County.

Recently enacted 2015 Wisconsin Act 156 pertains specifically to these sexually violent (or Level 3) offenders. It eliminated local variations in the placement of sexually violent offenders by creating standardized residency restrictions throughout the State of Wisconsin. The Act also overrides any municipal restrictions by prohibiting municipalities from enforcing their residency ordinances against sexually violent offenders. Under Act 156, sexually violent offenders may not live within 1,500 feet from a prohibited location.

Pleasant Prairie's Municipal Code, Chapter 287, will still apply to lower level (Levels 1 and 2) sexual offenders who have not been classified as sexually violent. In order to promote equal placement of these offenders throughout the County, the Village will be considering an amendment to its existing ordinance that will make restrictions in Pleasant Prairie as strict as, if not stricter than, the restrictions of abutting communities.