Streetsboro City Council is eying excluding registered sex offenders from city-owned playgrounds, parks and recreation facilities.
The new law would ban registered sex offenders from city-owned or controlled playgrounds, parks, ballfields, restrooms, pavilions, community centers and recreational facilities that are used for park and recreation purposes.
It defines registered sex offenders as anyone who has pleaded guilty to or who has been convicted of a sexually oriented offense or a child-victim sexually oriented offense as defined by state law such that the person is classified as a Tier 1, 2 or 3 sex offender/child-victim offender and is required to register their address with the Portage County Sheriff’s Office.
The measure could pass as early as Oct. 26, but Mayor Glenn Broska said he expects a longer time frame to allow for public comment, potential amendments and a formal public hearing.
As the proposed ordinance now stands, offenders would face a fourth-degree misdemeanor charge of criminal trespass, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $250.
Council members will discuss the proposed ordinance during their regularly scheduled meeting on Oct. 12.