OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – 1105 Jefferson St. in Oshkosh is home to a transitional living program for people getting out of jail or prison.
Some people who live there are sex offenders. People can stay in the home from two to 90 days.
Betsy and Bruce Kunde tells FOX 11 they’ve lived next door since the transitional home opened in 2010.
“There are small children down the block who walk to Merrill Elementary.”
A nonprofit called Triniteam based out of Eau Claire owns this transitional living center. Triniteam is contracted by Wisconsin’s Department of Corrections.
Neighbors have also expressed concerns about Triniteam’s regular monitoring at the home.
Triniteam told neighbors it monitors the home 3 times per day.
Department of Corrections records from May to October of last year show Triniteam crews usually do, and sometimes up to five times a day. But the records also show several days with only two visits.
“The Department of Corrections contracts with private companies to place these transitional homes throughout the state,” Oshkosh City Manager Mark Rohloff said.
Oshkosh Police Chief Dean Smith tells FOX 11 his department notifies residents when new people move into the home.
“We continue to monitor through random patrols through the neighborhood, I’ve had director patrols through the neighborhood, we’ve seen no criminal activity occurring at the location.”
Rohloff says the city is limited in all areas except law enforcement and zoning and planning.
“The city doesn’t have any relationship with Triniteam. That is a contract from the State of Wisconsin. So we have no relationship, they receive no city funds or any local funds to my knowledge at all.”
While the city is limited on what they can do, residents voiced their concerns and asked for solutions at the city council meeting.
“I am here tonight asking you to set regulations by implementing special use zoning requirements or create an ordinance with restrictions on where transitional housing units in Oshkosh can be placed,” Jamie O’Brien, who lives across the street from the transitional housing, said.
Oshkosh leaders plan to hold a workshop with the DOC and Triniteam to address concerns and find solutions for residents.
