KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – One area city is considering a new way of dealing with minors, who send nude photos.
Kaukauna’s police department has proposed an ordinance it hopes will teach the teens a lesson, not haunt their futures.
Students sending one another nude photos is something Kaukauna police call a problem.
Assistant Police Chief Jamie Graff tells WLUK educators and the school resource officer also bring complaints forward.
But, according to Graff, under state law police only have two options for dealing with juveniles who sext.
“To do nothing and work with the family, or to refer charges to the district attorney, felony charges”
Those charges are for making or distributing child porn, which can come with serious consequences like prison time and a spot on the sex offender registry.
Graff told us right now the department usually does not refer charges, but officers have proposed an ordinance to city leaders that would offer some consequences.
“Give them a citation and they would be able to work with our municipal courts on working that off, maybe do some community service, maybe go to some counseling”
The Fox Valley Metro Police Department put a similar ordinance in place in 2015.
“Gives us a tool so we’re not criminalizing that individual at a young age,” said Fox Valley Metro Police Officer Michael Lambie.
Under Fox Valley Metro’s ordinance, Lambie says teens are given a 330 dollar fine and officers can confiscate their phones for up to a year.
“Talking to our school resource officers, absolutely it’s been a successful too. It’s another avenue to take when they’re working in our schools”
The ordinances only apply to people under 18 and would not apply to juveniles who act maliciously, like threatening someone for a photo, for example.
“Somebody does send a picture and they resend it to 20 other people,” said Graff, adding another example.
Kaukauna School District’s Superintendent says he approves of the proposal.
“These new options will provide a better balance between accountability, education and support for young adults and their families.”
According to Graff the goal is to teach teens a life-lesson.
“‘This is inappropriate. It could be dangerous depending on who gets those photos”
Kaukauna’s Common Council will discuss the ordinance and possibly vote on it tonight.
