By Ryan Palencer
AVON — The Town Council here recently passed an ordinance to ban individuals on the State of Indiana Sex Offender Registry from attending parks within the town.
After seeing a similar ordinance pass in Plainfield, the town decided to move forward with their own. In August, the Indiana Supreme Court sided with the Town of Plainfield on their ordinance.
“We discussed this a few years back,” Avon Town Manager Tom Klein said. “Plainfield passed a similar ordinance and it was challenged. We wanted to wait to see what happened and it held up in court.”
Though the ordinance bans sex offenders, it is only for individuals who are required to register after the adoption of the ordinance.
Along with sex offenders, the ordinance also bans other potential dangerous individuals from the parks.
“It’s not just sex offenders,” Klein said. “With the wording, people who were convicted of violent crimes, like murder, will also not be allowed in the parks, as long as they have to register.”
Klein hopes that this ordinance will supply some relief for residents who use the parks.
“We hope to give a sense of confidence,” Klein said. “Our officers and staff will have to be aware of offenders in the park.”
Though the town passed the ordinance, Klein said he understands that offenders could still pose a threat in public locations. He hopes parents will continue to ensure their children’s safety.
“Be careful and make sure that all children are tended to,” Klein said. “(The parents need to be) active parents. They should be alert and make sure to tell their children not to speak to strangers.”
Any person who violates the ordinance will be fined $200 for each violation.
For more information on the ordinance and other issues discussed at the council meetings, visit the town’s YouTube site at www.youtube.com/user/TheTownofAvon. Summaries are also available at www.avongov.org.
ryan.palencer@flyergroup.com
