Lebanon park ban aimed at sex offenders

LEBANON, Ind. (WISH) - An Indiana city wants to ban registered sex offenders from stepping foot in their city parks. Lebanon police officer and city council member Brent Wheat has introduced an ordinance to ban sex offenders from Lebanon city parks.

Lebanon Parks Director John Messenger is uncomfortable with the fact that, right now, registered sex offenders can visit any of Lebanon's seven public parks.

"I grew up with a lot of the families and children that are out in the park system and I'd just die if anything happened to any of them," said Messenger.

According to the Indiana Sex Offender Registry, 53 sex offenders live in Lebanon. Three of them live and work within three blocks of Memorial Park.

"We run into situations all the time where we have folks in the park that would meet this criteria. And if they are not committing some type of criminal act, there is really nothing we could do," said Councilman Wheat.

Stacy Horan visits Memorial Park often with her family. Horan said this ban would give her family peace of mind.

"I think it's an excellent idea. I wouldn't want to bring my children into a place where they could be preyed upon," said Horan.

The ordinance has its hurdles. At issue is whether the rights of children in public parks supersede the rights of sex offenders.

Councilman Wheat said, "This law is not the all-purpose solution, but it's another good tool for us to be able to protect our most vulnerable citizens."

Councilman Wheat said he's still drafting the ordinance, including how it would be enforced.

Bans in other Indiana communities have been challenged and cases are still pending.