GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Big changes could be coming Tuesday in Green Bay on how the city deals with child sex offenders. For months the city council has been discussing the pros and cons, and how it would look politically for Alderpersons to eliminate the current sex offender residency ordinance that requires offenders to get approval to live in the city. However, police, the state Department of Justice, the District Attorney, city attorney and members of the sex offender registry program have all been advocating repealing the current ordinance and replacing it with child safety zones, that prohibit where sex offenders can go, not where they can live. Police say the change is needed because an increasing number of offenders are going underground. Police say it’s better to know where child sex offenders are living and where they are not allowed to go. The city has one of the most restrictive ordinances that prohibit child sex offenders from basically living within the city. An estimated 95% of the residential areas are off limits, but the Sex Offender Residency Board approves appeals to the 2,000 ft rule of living near schools, parks, or places where child congregate more than 60% of the time. The city council meets Tuesday to possibly vote on a committee recommendation to keep the current ordinance and just add on the proximity ban. Positions from some Green Bay Alderpersons have switched over time, after hearing more evidence and testimony at committee. The proposal has been sent back to the Protection and Welfare Committee three times, with the full city council saying the proposal needed more work.


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