I believe that the green license plates will be a tool in helping parents spot a potential danger.

Right now our Wisconsin state legislature is considering a bill that would call for sex offenders to have green license plates as another means of identification. The bill would state that offenders would not be allowed to drive a vehicle without the green license plate.

Many of us want to keep close tabs on sex offenders in our community. The protection of our family and children is of the utmost importance. Under Gov. Jim Doyle, a GPS system has been set up to track and monitor sex offenders.

If the proposed bill for color-coded license plates is enacted, the same offenders that are now being monitored will be required by law to use the green plates. Failure to comply will result in fines from $10,000 to $25,000 and/or 6 to 10 years in prison.

Correctional Communications Specialist Alec Loftus states that When looking at new ways to monitor sex offenders, this [bill for green license plates] has never been suggested by any other policy experts or states.

With Doyle, the state has done a lot more to monitor sex offenders from the GPS initiative, to the safe initiative and expansion of the Sand Ridge Treatment facility.

Loftus went on to say that Another important thing to consider is the availability of stable housing. Stable housing is directly linked to lower likelihood of re-offending which means enhanced community safety.

Whether or not requiring special license plates for sex offenders will benefit the community is still unknown; I believe that the green license plates will be a tool in helping parents spot a potential danger, comments Joel Kleefisch, assemblyman for the 38th district of Wisconsin.

Many look at the plates as just another tool of identification that will allow parents to better protect their children. Some people might think that color-coded license plates are useless and unnecessary.

Though Loftus was unable to provide specifics on the bill, he commented that, We believe its important to closely monitor sex offenders in the community and one of the keys is to make sure law enforcement and other members in the community have good information to keep tabs on sex offenders and to keep them from being anonymous.

However, the Department of Corrections has not introduced this idea and does not support the bill at this time.

Are color-coded license plates a good idea? Do they provide a necessary means of protection or are they merely tools used to further humiliate sex offenders? Sex offenders can be considered the lowest of convicts and whether or not they can be rehabilitated is still a contentious topic.

I personally believe that we should monitor them as best we can if we are to allow them to mingle amongst us. Even if the green license plates only serve as comfort to parents concerned about offenders in their neighborhood, thats enough of an incentive to at least try out this new bill.

For more information on this bill go to www.legis.state.wi.us and look up Assembly Bill 226.

By Nic Werner

Special to the Post

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