One of the most popular and indispensable pearls of wisdom that is passed down through the generations is "never talk to strangers." We are bred to "keep our cool" when confronted by suspicious and unfamiliar individuals, and we are instructed to never willingly accept a ride from anyone unknown. Parents fear for the safety of their young, unassuming children as they walk home from school, and university administrators tirelessly drill into the minds of college students to take the necessary precautions when it comes to walking home after dark. All of these serious concerns forced a Wisconsin legislator to propose a bill that would require all convicted sex offenders to display vividly colored license plates, in an attempt to alert potential victims of dangerous individuals on statewide roadways. I believe this proposal will help us keep close tabs on the state's dangerous sexual deviants while at the same time ensuring the safety of Wisconsin's innocent youth and oblivious adults alike.
Brought up by state Rep. Joel Kleefisch, R-Oconomowoc, the bill is one of three similar proposals across the country. With Wisconsin following in the footsteps of Ohio, which requires convicted sex offenders to display fluorescent green license plates, and Alabama, whose license plate color will be left up to the Department of Revenue, the plates will be chartreuse-green in color. Kleefisch feels the brightly colored plates will initiate a role-reversal between the state's registered sexual delinquents and the public. "For too long, child sex predators have been watching our children. It's time we have an opportunity to watch them back," Kleefisch told the Oshkosh Northwestern.
Kleefisch's pitch finds support throughout the state, especially in the Wisconsin Rapids area at the Division of Community Corrections. "Locally, we are fortunate to have a strong partnership within the criminal justice system which enhances our ability to successfully supervise high-risk offenders," Jean Young, field supervisor at the Division of Community Corrections told the Wisconsin Daily Rapids Tribune. I strongly believe Kleefisch's plan will do just that: institute a watchdog-like ordinance that will bring justice to the wronged victims of sexual offense in Wisconsin.
In addition to statewide administrators, Midwestern families back Kleefisch's plan. According to the Oshkosh Northwestern, an Ohio father strongly supports these license plate colorations, as his 14-year-old daughter was abducted, raped and murdered at a county fair. "Its destroyed us. That's why I have no sympathy for the lives of sex offenders," Mark Jackson said. The Ohio bill was henceforth named "Kristen's law."
Comparable proposals that would protect the citizens of Wisconsin from sexual convicts have recently risen as well. Rooted in Green Bay, these laws would set in place residency restrictions for convicted sexual predators. The city recently adopted a decree forbidding sexual convicts from living within 2,000 feet of any public place where children may assemble. Both proposals allow Wisconsin legislators to flex their executive muscles by identifying lawbreaking individuals who definitely deserve a lifestyle of prohibition.
While the bills find followers in Wisconsin, Ohio and Alabama, these proposals also face opposition. Despite an Assembly committee's passing of Kleefisch's bill in an 8-3 vote, many Wisconsin legislators see the idea as ineffective. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, feels the bill will only persuade sex offenders not to drive.
"I understand the frustration that legislators and the public have about dealing with hardcore sex offenders," Rep. Pocan told the Oshkosh Northwestern. "The problem is, we come up with a lot of knee-jerk reactions that don't do anything about public safety." Furthermore, what if the family members of these predators borrow the criminal's car?
Nonetheless, both specially colored license plates and living restrictions for convicted sex offenders in Wisconsin will put the criminals' potential prey on the lookout, while enhancing the safety and knowledge of citizens statewide.
Meredith Togstad ([email protected]) is a sophomore intending to major in journalism and French.