I’m writing this petition as a resident of Irvine Street in Chippewa Falls, a neighborhood filled with kids. Our neighborhood is a wonderful place. On March 24th, a registered sex offender is scheduled to move into 735 Irvine Street. This house is surrounded by many children. There is an in-home daycare just two houses down, Southview Elementary School only a few blocks away, and nearby churches that host preschools and high schools, including Holy Ghost Catholic Church with its school. This is a place where kids are outside, playing, learning, and growing together.

I want to be clear that I do not know this individual, and this is not about targeting him personally. I also recognize that people can make mistakes and that individuals leaving prison are often working toward stability, accountability, and rebuilding their lives. My concern is about the safety of the children in our neighborhood and whether our current policies reflect that reality.

Because of the high concentration of children in this area, it is hard to understand how our current city ordinance, which requires only 66 feet of separation between sex offenders and places where children gather, can be enough. In a neighborhood like this, where children are everywhere, that distance does not seem to match the reality of our community or the level of safety families are hoping for.

I am asking the city of Chippewa Falls to consider increasing the distance in Ordinance 9.125 from 66 feet to 1,500 feet. A larger buffer would create more space between offenders and places where children spend their time, helping families feel safer while also setting clearer boundaries that support successful reintegration.

Updating this ordinance is about protecting what makes this community so special. We all want our kids to feel safe when walking to school, playing outside, and being part of the neighborhood.

I encourage city officials and community members to take a closer look at this issue and support this change. Please consider signing this petition to help make our neighborhood safer for all of our children.