Manawa approves sex offender restrictions

MANAWA – The City of Manawa has approved a new ordinance restricting where certain registered sex offenders can live and be present within city limits.
There are seven registered sex offenders living in Manawa, according to registry data. Under a previous ordinance, registered sex offenders were prohibited from loitering and from participating in holiday and community events involving children.
Police Chief Jason Severson said at a Protection and Welfare committee meeting last week that the city’s prior ordinance was “kind of non-existent,” functioning mainly as a loitering restriction that left significant loopholes around where certain offenders could live or spend time.
Severson said the push to overhaul the ordinance began last year after a registered sex offender moved into a property kitty-corner from a local day care. That offender was no longer on active state supervision, meaning probation and parole officials did not notify the city of the move.
Under state rules, local police receive a Special Bulletin Notification when a registered sex offender is released from an institution on active supervision, but not when someone who is only on the registry moves into a new community.

Manawa’s new ordinance defines a “designated offender” as any person required to register under Wisconsin law for a sex offense involving a child, any person designated as a Special Bulletin Notification sex offender, and any person convicted of a sexually violent offense or a crime against children.
The ordinance restricts both where designated offenders can live and where they can be present, including prohibiting residency or loitering within 100 feet of child-oriented locations, including schools, parks, licensed day cares for children, and other areas where children gather.
Included in the ordinance is a restricted zone map and a list of addresses where designated offenders may not live. That includes parcels located near Freedom Park, Sturm Memorial Library, Little Wolf High School, Manawa Middle School, Saint Paul School and licensed day care facilities, and the Manawa Lions Club rodeo grounds.
Severson noted there are no residential properties immediately surrounding the elementary school, but the ordinance still accounts for school protections.
The ordinance also creates a waiver process, allowing designated offenders to request access to otherwise restricted areas.
The Manawa Common Council unanimously approved the new ordinance last week. It carries fines of $300 to $800 for loitering and other violations, and a restricted residency violation of $1,000 per day.