Within the State of Wisconsin, the City of Franklin is at the forefront of communities pursuing efforts to protect their citizens, especially children, from sexual predators.
Following a series of public hearings and meetings before the City Plan Commission and Common Council, the Common Council has adopted two ordinances to help enhance such protections.
The first ordinance, Ordinance 2006-1902, is a regulatory measure identifying sex offenders as a serious threat to public safety. Based in part on this determination, the ordinance restricts the ability of a sex offender from residing within 2,000 feet of schools, daycare centers, parks, and other specified facilities. This restriction would apply to any sex offender newly housed in the City of Franklin following its adoption. The ordinance also protects those facilities specified, and the children frequenting them, by creating Child Safety Zones.
In general, the second ordinance, Ordinance 2007-1905, allows for enforcement of the restrictions through the issuance of municipal violations and through obtaining injunctive relief from the courts under the City's zoning authority.
Among the first of their kind in Wisconsin, these ordinances follow similar legislative actions in other states and accounts for state and federal court actions on these matters.
These ordinance changes follow filings in July (see below petitions) with the State's Department of Health and Family Services and Department of Corrections requesting clear information as to certain policies relating to the management, release, and housing of sexual predators. Furthermore, the City demanded that the State adhere to their rules and enforce their policies that were in place. As a result of those filings and stipulations provided by the State in October, the City is working cooperatively with the State to ensure improvements are made to existing policies and to ensure the State improves their communication with City of Franklin law enforcement officials.
Be assured that the City of Franklin will continue to take any action necessary to provide for the safety of our children and citizens in protecting against sexual offenders.
Press Release, July 27, 2006: City of Franklin Files for Ruling on State Handling of Sexually Violent Persons
Notice of Events Giving Rise to Claim Pursuant to Wis. Stat. Section 893.82
Petition for Declaratory Ruling and Full Hearing on the Merits Pursuant to Wis. Stat. Section 227.41; City of Franklin v. State of Wisconsin - Department of Health and Family Services
Petition for Declaratory Ruling and Full Hearing on the Merits Pursuant to Wis. Stat. Section 227.41; City of Franklin v. State of Wisconsin - Department of Corrections
Petition for Declaratory Ruling and Full Hearing on the Merits Pursuant to Wis. Stat. Section 227.41; City of Franklin v. State of Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services - Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Institute